Mesogenic epoxy compounds

ABSTRACT

Advanced epoxy resins containing mesogenic moieties are prepared from epoxy resins which contain such moieties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.07/616,539 filed Nov. 21, 1990 (now abandoned) which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/553,492 filed Jul. 13,1990 (now abandoned) which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 07/298,431 filed Jan. 17, 1989 (now abandoned) all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to epoxy resins containing rodlikemesogenic moietie(s), curable compositions and cured compositionsthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Epoxy resins are useful in many applications such as coatings,laminates, composites, adhesives, castings and the like. In each ofthese applications, it is desirable to have epoxy resins with animprovement in any one or more of their physical and/or, thermal and/orchemical resistant properties.

The present invention provides a method for improving one or more ofthese properties by incorporating into the polymer chain of the epoxyresin one or more rodlike mesogenic structure(s). These epoxy resinsexhibit ordering of the molecular chains in the melt phase and/or in theadvanced compositions thereof. This morphology is susceptible to flowinduced orientation during processing which can result in enhancedunidirectional, mechanical properties. This is not possible to any greatextent with conventional epoxy resins.

In contrast to other types of mesogenic polymers, which are primarilythermoplastics, the epoxy resins containing rodlike mesogenic moietiesprovide an advantage in that final chain extension and/or crosslinkingoccurs during the curing stages of the fabricated part. This permits newsystems which process at much lower temperatures.

The rodlike mesogenic structures incorporated into the chain provide theimprovement in one or more of the properties. The property improvementsobtained with epoxy resins of this type can be unidirectionally enhancedby electric or magnetic fields or by shear stresses applied duringprocessing and/or curing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention pertains to epoxy resins containingone or more rodlike mesogenic moieties represented by the followingFormula I ##STR1## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹--Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the paraposition with respect to each other; each R and R¹ is independentlyhydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitablyfrom 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, ahalogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; eachZ¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂--, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR.sup. 1 ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--,--CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.--C--, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--,--O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--,##STR2## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring systemcontaining from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic,polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; eachZ' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or--NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has a value of zero or one:

with the proviso that:

(a) both of the R' groups in the --CR¹ ═CR¹ -- group cannotsimultaneously be a hydrogen atom;

(b) each Z¹ can also independently be ##STR3## --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --,--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ -- or --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO-- when Z² is not a benzene ring andn≠0;

(c) R¹ in the --CR¹ ═N-- and --N═CR¹ -- groups is other than hydrogen;

(d) when n=1, either one of Z¹ can also be selected from the groupconsisting of --CH═CH--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CH═N--,--N═CH--, --O--CO--, --CO--O-- and a direct single bond provided thatthe other Z¹ group is not selected from this same group or is notselected from a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## andwhen (i) each n' is zero, or (ii) when one n'=zero and one n'=1 with Z'being --O--CO-- or --CO--O-- and R¹ is a group having only one carbonatom;

(e) when n=2, one or two Z¹ groups can also independently be selectedfrom the group consisting of --CH═CH--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--,--CH═N--, --N═CH--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, and a direct single bond,provided that the remaining Z¹ groups are not selected from this group;

(f) when one Z¹ is ##STR5## wherein (i) when each n'=1 with each Z'being --O--CO-- or --CO--O--, or (ii) when one n'=1 with Z' being--O--CO-- or --CO--O-- and the other n'=zero resulting in the other Z'being a direct bond and R¹ is a group having only one carbon atom, thenn must have a value of 1 or 2 and R¹ is a group having only one carbonatom.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to epoxy resinscontaining one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties represented by thefollowing Formula II ##STR6## wherein Z³ is ##STR7## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalenthydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected fromN, O, S and the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, ahydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12,more suitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one; and with the proviso that Z⁴ is not--CO--O-- or --O--CO-- when R¹ is a group having only one carbon atom.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to monoepoxidecompounds containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties representedby the following Formula III ##STR8## wherein at least about 80 percentof the --(Z⁵ --Z²)_(n) Z⁵ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups arein the para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; each Z⁵ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹--, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR.sup. 1 ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--N═N--, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--,--C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--,--N═CR¹ --, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --,--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ -- O--CO--, a direct single bond whenn≧1, ##STR9## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ringsystem containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may becycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; nis zero or two; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,--CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group; and each n' is independently zeroor one.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to monoepoxidecompounds containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties representedby the following Formula IV ##STR10## wherein Z⁶ is ##STR11## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO--, or --CO--NR¹ --; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10,preferably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms which can contain one or moreheteroatoms selected from N, O or S and may be saturated or unsaturated;and n' is zero or one.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to advanced epoxy resincompositions prepared by reacting

(A) one or more of the epoxy resins containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties, said epoxy resin being those represented by eitherthe following Formula I ##STR12## wherein at least about 80 percent ofthe --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups arein the para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹--, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O-- CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--,--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--,--O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, adirect single bond when n≧1, ##STR13## Z² is a group represented by acyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbonatoms and may be cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or acombination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--,--O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group and each n'independently has a value of zero or one; with the proviso that each Z¹can also independently be ##STR14## --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CO--O--, or --O--CO-- when Z² is not abenzene ring and when n≠0;

or the following Formula II ##STR15## wherein Z³ is ##STR16## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalenthydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected fromN, O, S and the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, ahydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12,more suitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one; with

(B) at least one compound having an average of more than one activehydrogen atom per molecule; and

wherein components (A) and (B) are employed in quantities which providea ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.01:1to about 0.95:1, more suitably from about 0.05:1 to about 0.8:1, mostsuitably from about 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to phenoxy resincompositions prepared by the advancement reaction of (A) one or more ofthe epoxy resins containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties, saidepoxy resins being those represented by either the following Formula I##STR17## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹-- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the para position withrespect to each other; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or analiphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; eachX is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy grouphaving suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitably from 1 to about 6,most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom(preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; each Z¹ isindependently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂--O--CO-- CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹--NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--,--S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O, ##STR18## Z² is a group represented by acyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbonatoms and may be cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or acombination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--,--O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group and each n'independently has a value of zero or one; or the following Formula II##STR19## wherein Z³ is ##STR20## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹--CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1to about 10, preferably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms which cancontain one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, S and the like andmay be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogenor an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms;each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy grouphaving suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitably from 1 to about 6,most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom(preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; and n' is zero orone; with

(B) at least one compound having an average of more than one activehydrogen atom per molecule; and

wherein components (A) and (B) are employed in quantities which providea ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.96:1to about 1.05:1.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to blends of (A) one ormore of the epoxy resins or monoepoxide compounds containing one or morerodlike mesogenic moieties which epoxy resins or monoepoxide compoundsare represented by the aforementioned Formulas I, II, III or IV and (B)one or more polyepoxides represented by the following Formulas V, VI,VII, VIII, IX, X or XI; ##STR21## wherein each A is independently adivalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 12, preferably fromabout 1 to about 6, more preferably from 1 to about 3, carbon atoms,--O--, --S--, --S--S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, or --CO--; each A' isindependently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 6,preferably from 1 to about 3, carbon atoms; Q is a single bond, --CH₂--S--CH₂ --, --(CH₂)_(n).spsb.i --, or ##STR22## each R is independentlyhydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; eachR² and R³ is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or halohydrocarbylgroup having from 1 to about 6, preferably from 1 to about 3, morepreferably from 1 to about 2, carbon atoms; each X is independentlyhydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about12, preferably from about 1 to about 6, most preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂ or --C.tbd.N; m has a value fromabout 1 to about 10, preferably from about 1 to about 4, more preferablyfrom about 1 to about 2; m' has an average value from about 0.01 toabout 12, preferably from about 1 to about 6, more preferably from about1 to about 3; m¹ has an average value from about 1 to about 12,preferably from about 1 to about 6, more preferably from about 1 toabout 3; m² has a value from about 1 to about 12, preferably from about2 to about 6, more preferably from about 2 to about 3; n' has a value ofzero or 1; n" has an average value from about zero to about 3,preferably from about zero to about 1.5, more preferably from about zeroto about 0.5, and n¹ has an average value from about 1 to about 10; andwherein component (A) is present in an amount suitably from about 1 toabout 99, more suitably from about 10 to about 80, most suitably fromabout 10 to about 50, percent by weight based upon the combined weightof components (A) and (B) and component (B) is present in an amountsuitably from about 99 to about 1, more suitably from about 90 to about20, most suitably from about 90 to about 50, percent by weight basedupon the combined weight of components (A) and (B).

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to blends of (A) one ormore of the advanced epoxy resins containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties which advanced epoxy resins are prepared by reactingone or more epoxy resins represented by Formulas I or II and at leastone compound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atom permolecule; and (B) one or more polyepoxides represented by Formulas V,VI, VII, VIII, IX, X or XI; and wherein component (A) is present in anamount suitably from about 1 to about 99, more suitably from about 10 toabout 80, most suitably from about 10 to about 50, percent by weightbased upon the combined weight of components (A) and (B) and component(B) is present in an amount suitably from about 99 to about 1, moresuitably from about 90 to about 20, most suitably from about 90 to about50, percent by weight based upon the combined weight of components (A)and (B).

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising at least one epoxy resin containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties represented by Formula I and a curing amount of asuitable curing agent therefor.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising at least one epoxy resin containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties represented by Formula II and a curing amount of asuitable curing agent therefor.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising

(A) at least one epoxy resin containing one or more rodlike mesogenicmoieties, said epoxy resin being represented by either the followingFormula I ##STR23## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹--Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the paraposition with respect to each other; each R and R¹ is independentlyhydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitablyfrom 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, ahalogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; eachZ¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂--, --CH₂ --O-- CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--,--CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--,--CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹═CR¹ --CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, ##STR24## Z² is a grouprepresented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 toabout 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic,aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independentlya --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group andeach n' independently has a value of zero or one; or the followingFormula II ##STR25## wherein Z³ is ##STR26## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--,--O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbylgroup having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, Sand the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one;

(B) at least one of the aforementioned monoepoxide compounds containingone or more rodlike mesogenic moieties, said monoepoxide compounds beingrepresented by Formulas III or IV, and (C) a curing amount of a suitablecuring agent therefor; wherein component (A) is present in an amountsuitably from about 1 to about 99, more suitably from about 50 to about90, most suitably from about 70 to about 90, percent by weight basedupon the combined weight of components (A) and (B) and component (B) ispresent in an amount suitably from about 99 to about 1, more suitablyfrom about 50 to about 10, most suitably from about 30 to about 10,percent by weight based upon the combined weight of components (A) and(B).

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising

(A) an advanced epoxy resin resulting from reacting

(1) at least one of the epoxy resins containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties, said epoxy resins being those represented by eitherthe following Formula I ##STR27## wherein at least about 80 percent ofthe --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups arein the para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹--, --CR¹═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO-- CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--,--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CO--O--,--O--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂--CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--, a direct single bond when n≧ 1 , ##STR28## Z² is a grouprepresented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 toabout 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic,aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independentlya --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group andeach n' independently has a value of zero or one; with the proviso thateach Z¹ can also independently be ##STR29## --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --,--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CO--O--, or --O--CO-- when Z² isnot a benzene ring and when n≠0;

or the following Formula II ##STR30## wherein Z³ is ##STR31## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalenthydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected fromN, O, S and the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, ahydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12,more suitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one, or any combination of any two or moreof the epoxy resins represented by the aforementioned Formulas I and II;with

(2) at least one compound having an average of more than one activehydrogen atom per molecule; wherein components (A1) and (A2) areemployed in quantities which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms toepoxide groups suitably from about 0.01:1 to about 0.95:1, more suitablyfrom about 0.05:1 to about 0.8:1, most suitably from about 0.1:1 toabout 0.5:1; and

(B) a curing amount of a suitable curing agent for component (A).

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising a blend of

(A) at least one of the epoxy resins or monoepoxide compounds containingone or more rodlike mesogenic moieties represented by the followingFormulas I or II ##STR32## wherein at least about 80 percent of the--(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are inthe para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹--, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--,--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.--C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--,--N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, -- CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--,--O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--,##STR33## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring systemcontaining from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic,polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; eachZ' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or--NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has a value of zero or one:##STR34## wherein Z³ is ##STR35## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹--CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1to about 10, preferably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms which cancontain one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, S and the like andmay be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogenor an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms;each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy grouphaving suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitably from 1 to about 6,most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom(preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; and n' is zero orone; or by the aforementioned Formulas III or IV;

(B) at least one of the polyepoxide resins represented by Formulas V,VI, VII, VIII, IX, X or XI; and

(C) a curing amount of a suitable curing agent therefor; whereincomponent (A) is present in an amount suitably from about 1 to about 99,more suitably from about 10 to about 80, most suitably from about 10 toabout 50, percent by weight based upon the combined weight of components(A) and (B) and component (B) is present in an amount suitably fromabout 99 to about 1, more suitably from about 90 to about 20, mostsuitably from about 90 to about 50, percent by weight based upon thecombined weight of components (A) and (B).

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to curable compositionscomprising a blend of (A) at least one of the advanced epoxy resinscontaining one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties prepared by reacting(1) one or more epoxy resins represented by the following Formulas I orII ##STR36## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n)--Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the para positionwith respect to each other; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen oran aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms;each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy grouphaving suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitably from 1 to about 6,most suitably from 11 to about 4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom(preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; each Z¹ isindependently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂--O-- CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹--NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--,--S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR.sup. 1 ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--O--CO--, ##STR37## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclicring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may becycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; nis 0 to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,--CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has avalue of zero or one: ##STR38## wherein Z³ is ##STR39## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalenthydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected fromN, O, S and the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, ahydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12,more suitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4. carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine) , --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one; and (2) at least one compound havingan average of more than one active hydrogen atom per molecule; whereincomponents (1) and ( 2) are employed in quantities which provide a ratioof active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group suitably from about 0.01:1 toabout 0.95:1, more suitably from about 0.05:1 to about 0.8:1, mostsuitably from 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1;

(B) at least one of the polyepoxide resins represented by Formulas V,VI, VII, VIII, IX, X or XI; and

(C) a curing amount of a suitable curing agent therefor; whereincomponent (A) is present in an amount suitably from about 1 to about 99,more suitably from about 10 to about 80, most suitably from about 10 toabout 50, percent by weight based upon the combined weight of components(A) and (B) and component (B) is present in an amount suitably fromabout 99 to about 1, more suitably from about 90 to about 20, mostsuitably from about 90 to about 50, percent by weight based upon thecombined weight of components (A) and (B).

A further aspect of the present invention pertains to products resultingfrom curing the aforementioned curable compositions.

A further aspect of the present invention pertains to products resultingfrom the application of an electric field, magnetic field, drawingand/or shear flow before and/or during curing or processing of theaforementioned compositions.

A further aspect of the present invention pertains to products resultingfrom curing a curable composition comprising (A) at least one epoxyresin containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties, said epoxyresin being represented by the following Formula I ##STR40## wherein atleast about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and theglycidyl ether groups are in the para position with respect to eachother; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatichydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X isindependently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group havingsuitably from 1 to about 12, more suitably from 1 to about 6, mostsuitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, a halogen atom (preferablychlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; Z², Z¹, n and n' are ashereinbefore defined; with the proviso that;

(a) when n=1, either one of Z¹ is selected from the group consisting of--CH═CH--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CH═N--, --N═CH--, --O--CO--,--CO--O-- and a direct single bond provided that the other Z¹ group isselected from this same group or is selected from a group selected fromthe group consisting of ##STR41## when (i) each n' is zero, or (ii) whenone n'=zero and one n'=1 with Z' being --O--CO-- or --CO--O-- and R¹ isa group having only one carbon atom;

b) when n=2, one or two Z¹ groups are independently selected from thegroup consisting of --CH═CH--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CH═N--,--N═CH--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, and a direct single bond, provided thatthe remaining Z¹ groups are selected from this group;

(c) when one Z¹ is ##STR42## wherein (i) when each n'=1 with each Z'being --O--CO-- or --CO--O--, or (ii) when one n'=1 with Z' being--O--CO-- or --CO--O-- and the other n'=zero resulting in the other Z'being a direct bond and R¹ is a group having only one carbon atom, thenn must have a value of 1 or 2 and R¹ is a group having only one carbonatom; and (B) a curing amount of at least one suitable curing agent forcomponent (A); and wherein said curing is conducted outside the liquidcrystal transition temperature range of said epoxy resin and with theproviso that the epoxy resin and curing agent are not simultaneously thediglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate and4,4'-diaminophenylbenzoate, respectively.

A further aspect of the present invention pertains to products resultingfrom curing a curable composition comprising

(A) at least one epoxy resin containing one or more rodlike mesogenicmoieties said epoxy resin being represented by the following Formula II##STR43## wherein Z³ is ##STR44## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--, or --O--CO--;each R is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon grouphaving from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R¹ is a group having only onecarbon atom; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, more suitablyfrom 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbon atoms, ahalogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; and

(B) a curing amount of at least one suitable curing agent for component(A); and wherein said curing is conducted outside the liquid crystaltransition temperature range of said epoxy resin.

A still further aspect of the present invention pertains to productsresulting from the application of an electric field, magnetic field,drawing and/or shear flow before and/or during curing or processing of acurable composition comprising

(A) at least one epoxy resin containing one or more rodlike mesogenicmoieties said epoxy resin being those represented by either thefollowing Formula I ##STR45## wherein at least about 80 percent of the--(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are inthe para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ isindependently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbylor hydrocarbyloxy group having suitably from 1 to about 12, moresuitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine), --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently a direct single bond, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, -- CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂--CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --,--CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--,--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹--, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --,--CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂--CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂--, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,##STR46## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring systemcontaining from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic,polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; eachZ' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or--NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has a value of zero or one;or the following Formula II ##STR47## wherein Z³ is ##STR48## and Z⁴ is--CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalenthydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to about4, carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected fromN, O, S and the like and may be saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, ahydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy croup having suitably from 1 to about 12,more suitably from 1 to about 6, most suitably from 1 to about 4, carbonatoms, a halogen atom (preferably chlorine or bromine) , --NO₂, or--C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one; and

(B) a curing amount of at least one suitable curing agent for component(A).

The term "mesogenic" as is used herein designates compounds containingone or more rigid rodlike structural units which have been found tofavor the formation of liquid crystal phases in the case of low molarmass substances. Thus the mesogen or mesogenic moiety is that structureresponsible for molecular ordering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The epoxide compositions of the present invention can be prepared byreacting the corresponding hydroxyl containing compound with anepihalohydrin by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art.Suitable such methods are disclosed by Lee and Neville in Handbook ofEpoxy Resins, McGraw-Hill, (1967) which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Generally, the hydroxyl containing compound is reacted with anepihalohydrin in the presence of a suitable catalyst and in the presenceor absence of a suitable solvent at a temperature suitably from about 0°C. to about 100° C., more suitably from about 20° C. to about 80° C.,most suitably from about 20° C. to about 65° C.; at pressures suitablyfrom about 30 mm Hg vacuum to about 100 psia., more suitably from about30 mm Hg vacuum to about 50 psia., most suitably from about atmosphericpressure to about 20 psia.; and for a time sufficient to complete thereaction, usually from about 1 to about 12, more usually from about 1 toabout 5, most usually from about 1 to about 3 hours. This initialreaction unless the catalyst is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metalhydroxide employed in stoichiometric quantities produces a halohydrinintermediate which is then reacted with a basic acting compound toconvert the vicinal halohydrin groups to epoxide groups. The resultantproduct is a glycidyl ether compound.

Suitable epihalohydrins which can be employed to prepare the epoxidecompounds of the present invention include, for example, thoserepresented by the following Formula XII ##STR49## wherein R is aspreviously defined; and X' is a halogen. Particularly suitable suchepihalohydrins include, for example, epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin,epiiodohydrin, methylepichlorohydrin, methylepibromohydrin,methylepiiodohydrin, combinations thereof and the like.

Suitable hydroxyl containing compounds which can be employed to preparethe epoxide compounds of the present invention include, for example,those represented by the following Formulas XIII, XIV, XV or XVI##STR50## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹-- or --(Z⁵ --Z²)_(n) --Z⁵ -- linkages and the hydroxyl groups are inthe para position with respect to each other; n, Z¹, Z², Z³, Z⁵, Z⁶ andX are as previously defined.

Particularly suitable hydroxyl containing compounds include, forexample, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide,4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene,4,4'-dihydroxyazobenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxyazoxybenzene,4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylacetylene,N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide,4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetramethylstilbene,4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetrabromostilbene,4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-α-methylstilbene,N-biphenyl-4-hydroxybenzamide, N-2-naphthyl-4-hydroxybenzamide,N-phenyl-4-hydroxybenzamide, N-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide,4-hydroxystilbene, 4-hydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4-hydroxyazobenzene,4-hydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, 4-hydroxyazoxybenzene, combinations thereofand the like.

Suitable catalysts which can be employed to prepare the epoxidecompounds of the present invention include, for example, ammoniumhalides such as, for example, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride,benzyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetrabutylammonium chloride,tetrabutylammonium bromide, tetraoctylammonium chloride,tetraoctylammonium bromide, tetramethylammonium chloride,tetramethylammonium bromide, combinations thereof and the like.

Suitable basic acting compounds which can be employed to prepare theepoxide compounds of the present invention include, for example, alkalimetal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates andthe like. Particularly suitable such compounds include, for example,sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, calciumhydroxide, barium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, manganese hydroxide,sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate, calciumcarbonate, barium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, manganese carbonate,sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium bicarbonate, calciumbicarbonate, barium bicarbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, manganesebicarbonate, mixtures thereof and the like. Most preferred is sodiumhydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Suitable solvents which can be employed herein include, for example,alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, glycol ethers,amides, sulfoxides, sulfones, combinations thereof and the like.Particularly suitable solvents include, for example, methanol, ethanol,isopropanol, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, toluene, xylene,ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycolmethyl ether, propylene glycol phenyl ether, tripropylene glycol methylether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether,diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol phenyl ether,butylene glycol methyl ether, N,N-dimethyiformamide,N-methylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide,sulfolane, combinations thereof and the like.

The solvent is usually employed in amounts suitably from about 5 toabout 95, more suitably from about 20 to about 60, most suitably fromabout 30 to about 40, percent by weight based upon the combined weightof solvent and epihalohydrin.

Suitable compounds having an average of more than one active hydrogenatom per molecule which can be employed to prepare the advanced resincompositions of the present invention include, for example, bisphenols,thiobisphenols, dicarboxylic acids and compounds containing one primaryamine or amide group or two secondary amine groups such as thoserepresented by Formulas XVII or XVIII. ##STR51## wherein X² isindependently a hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, --SH, or --NHR² group; R² isan alkyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; X³ is NH₂ --, NH₂--SO₂ --, NH₂ --CO--, or NH₂ --Z⁸ --O--; Z⁸ is an alkyl or cycloalkylgroup having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; Z⁷ can independently be adivalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1to about 4 carbon atoms, --O--, --CO--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --S--,--S--S--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --,--CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--CH₂ --CH₂ -- , --CH₂--O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --N═N--, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--,--CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --CO--S--,--S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹--CO--, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --,--CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, a direct single bond,##STR52## and wherein X, Z', R¹, Z², n and n' are as hereinbeforedefined.

The advancement of the epoxy resins containing one or more rodlikemesogenic moieties with compounds having an average of more than oneactive hydrogen per molecule is employed to linearly chain extend theresin. This linear chain extension is required for somemesogen-containing resin compositions in order to obtain liquid crystalcharacter. The advancement of the rodlike mesogenic epoxy resins canalso be used to increase the temperature range in which a particularresin is liquid crystalline and to control the degree of crosslinkingduring the final curing stage.

The epoxy resin containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties andthe compound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atom permolecule are reacted in amounts which provide suitably from about 0.01:1to about 0.95:1, more suitably from about 0.05:1 to about 0.9:1, mostsuitably from about 0.10:1 to about 0.50:1 active hydrogen atoms perepoxy group.

Particularly suitable compounds having an average of more than oneactive hydrogen atom per molecule which can be employed herein includehydroxyl-containing compounds, carboxylic acid-containing compounds andprimary amine-containing compounds. These compounds include, forexample, those represented by Formulas XVII and XVIII.

Particularly suitable hydroxyl-containing compounds include, forexample, hydroquinone, bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane,4,4'-thiodiphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide,4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane,3,3',5,5'-tetrachorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A,4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α,α'-diethylstilbene,4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide,4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene,4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalate,N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide,bis(4'-hydroxybiphenyl)terephthalate, 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate,bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediimine,4,4"-dihydroxybiphenylbenzoate.1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxamide)benzene,1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxy)benzene,4,4'-bis(4"-hydroxyphenyl-1"-carboxy)biphenyl, mixtures thereof and thelike.

Particularly suitable carboxylic acid-containing compounds include, forexample, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-benzanilide dicarboxylic acid,4,4'-phenylbenzoate dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acidand mixtures thereof and the like.

Particularly suitable primary amine-containing compounds include, forexample, aniline, 4'-sulfonamido-N-phenylbenzamide,4'-sulfonamido-N'-phenyl-4-chlorobenzamide, 4-amino-1-phenylbenzoate,4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide, N-phenyl-4-aminophenyl-1-carboxamide,phenyl-4-aminobenzoate, biphenyl-4-aminobenzoate,1-phenyl-4'-aminophenylterephthalate, mixtures thereof and the like.

The advancement reaction can be conducted in the presence of a suitableadvancement catalyst such as, for example, phosphines, quaternaryammonium compounds. phosphonium compounds, tertiary amines and the like.Particularly suitable catalysts include, for example,ethyltriphenylphosphonium chloride, ethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide,ethyltriphenylphosphonium iodide, ethyltriphenylphosphonium diacetate(ethyltriphenylphosphonium acetate-acetic acid complex),ethyltriphenylphosphonium phosphate, tetrabutylphosphonium chloride,tetrabutylphosphonium bromide, tetrabutylphosphonium iodide,tetrabutylphosphonium diacetate (tetrabutylphosphonium acetate-aceticacid complex), butyltriphenylphosphonium tetrabromobisphenate,butyltriphenylphosphonium bisphenate, butyltriphenylphosphoniumbicarbonate, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammoniumhydroxide, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine,2-methylimidazole, benzyldimethylamine, mixtures thereof and the like.Many of these catalysts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,306,872;3,341,580; 3,379,684; 3,477,990; 3,547,881; 3,637,590; 3,843,605;3,948,855; 3,956,237; 4,048,141; 4,093,650; 4,131,633; 4,132,706;4,171,420; 4,177,216 and 4,366,295, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

The amount of advancement catalyst depends, of course, upon theparticular reactants and catalyst employed; however, it is usuallyemployed in quantities of from about 0.03 to about 3, preferably fromabout 0.03 to about 1.5, most preferably from about 0.05 to about 1.5percent by weight based upon the weight of the epoxy-containingcompound.

The advancement reaction can be conducted at atmospheric,superatmospheric or subatmospheric pressures at temperatures of fromabout 20° C. to about 260° C., preferably from about 80° C. to about240° C., more preferably from about 100° C. to about 200° C.. The timerequired to complete the advancement reaction depends upon thetemperature employed. Higher temperatures require shorter periods oftime whereas lower temperatures require longer periods of time.Generally, however, times of from about 5 minutes to about 24 hours,preferably from about 30 minutes to about 8 hours, more preferably fromabout 30 minutes to about 3 hours are suitable.

If desired, the advancement reaction can be conducted in the presence ofone or more solvents. Suitable such solvents include, for example,glycol ethers, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic ethers,cyclic ethers, ketones, esters, amides, combinations thereof and thelike. Particularly suitable solvents include, for example, toluene,benzene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diethyleneglycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dimethylformamide,dimethylsulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, tetrahydrofuran, propyleneglycol methyl ether, combinations thereof and the like. The solvents canbe employed in amounts of from about zero to about 80%, preferably fromabout 20% to about 60%, more preferably from about 30% to about 50% byweight based upon the weight of the reaction mixture.

When the epoxy resin containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moietiesand the compound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atomper molecule are reacted in amounts which provide from about 0.96:1 toabout 1.05:1 active hydrogen atoms per epoxy group, a relatively highmolecular weight substantially thermoplastic resinous product isproduced. These thermoplastic resin compositions contain little, if any,curable residual epoxide functionality and may even contain an activehydrogen functionality, depending upon which component is employed inexcess, the epoxy resin or the active hydrogen containing compound.These phenoxy resins may thus be processed using the typical processingmethods employed with conventional thermoplastic resins, such as, forexample, injection molding or extrusion. Thermosetting may, however, beinduced, for example, via reaction of all or a part of the backbonesecondary aliphatic hydroxyl groups produced in the aforesaidadvancement reaction, with a curing agent therefor. One class ofsuitable curing agents includes, for example, the di or polyisocyanates,as well as the blocked di or polyisocyanates which can be induced toreact with the secondary hydroxyl groups providing urethane crosslinksbetween the resin chains. An example of a specific diisocyanateespecially useful herein is 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane. When thecompound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atom permolecule used in the advancement reaction is a diphenol, the resultantresinous product is a phenoxy resin. If desired, the reaction can beconducted in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as, for example,those catalysts described herein for use in the advancement reaction.

According to the teachings found in ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE ANDENGINEERING, vol. 6, page 331, published by John Wiley and Sons, NewYork, New York (1986), which is incorporated herein by reference, asidefrom the aforementioned advancement method, a phenoxy resin may also beprepared by reaction of a 1:1 mole ratio of high purity bisphenol A andepichlorohydrin. It is therefore operable to prepare the phenoxy resinscontaining one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties of the presentinvention via reaction of one or more diphenols containing one or morerodlike mesogenic moieties with one or more epihalohydrins. A typicalmaterial would thus be the phenoxy resin produced from the reaction ofepichlorohydrin and 4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene using theaforementioned stoichiometric ratio. The reaction of the epihalohydrinand the bisphenol is usually conducted at a temperature of from about 0°C. to about 100° C., preferably from about 20° C. to about 80° C., morepreferably from about 20° C. to about 65° C. for a time sufficient tocomplete the reaction, usually from about 1 to about 12, preferably fromabout 1 to about 5, more preferably from about 1 to about 3 hours.

The compositions of the present invention containing an average of morethan one vicinal epoxy group per molecule can be cured with any suitablecuring agent for curing epoxy resins such as, for example, primary andsecondary polyamines, carboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof, aromatichydroxyl containing compounds, imidazoles, guanidines, urea-aldehyderesins, melamine-aldehydes resins, alkoxylated urea-aldehyde resins,alkoxylated melamine-aldehyde resins, aliphatic amines, cycloaliphaticamines, aromatic amines, combinations thereof and the like. Particularlysuitable curing agents include, for example, methylene dianiline,dicyandiamide, ethylene diamine, diethylenetriamine,triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, urea-formaldehyde resins,melamine-formaldehyde resins, methylolated urea-formaldehyde resins,methylolated melamine-formaldehyde resins, phenol-formaldehyde novolacresins, cresol-formaldehyde novolac resins, sulfanilamide,diaminodiphenylsulfone, diethyltoluenediamine, t-butyltoluenediamine,bis-4-aminocyclohexylmethane, isophoronediamine, diaminocyclohexane,hexamethylenediamine, piperazine, aminoethylpiperazine,2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine,tris-3-aminopropylamine, combinations thereof and the like.

The curing agents are employed in amounts which will effectively curethe composition; however, these amounts will depend upon the particularepoxy resin and curing agent employed. Generally, suitable amountsinclude, for example, from about 0.95:1 to about 1.2:1 equivalents ofcuring agent per equivalent of epoxy resin.

The monoepoxide compounds containing one or more rodlike mesogenicmoieties of the present invention can be employed as reactive diluentsfor the polyepoxide resins of the present invention as well as forpolyepoxide resins substantially free of rodlike mesogenic moietie(s).For other polyepoxide resins, the monoepoxide compounds provide a meansof incorporating into the composition, rodlike mesogenic moieties so asto enhance properties when cured.

The rodlike mesogenic diepoxides of the present invention can also beemployed for the purpose of improving the properties of polyepoxideresins substantially free of rodlike mesogenic moieties. Generally,suitable amounts of rodlike mesogenic epoxy resins are from about 1 toabout 99, more suitably from about 10 to about 80. most suitably fromabout 10 to about 50 weight percent based on the total weight of thecombined resins. Representative of the other polyepoxide resins include,for example, the diglycidyl ethers of resorcinol, bisphenol A,4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane, 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A,4,4'-thiodiphenol. 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide,4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane,3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A; thetriglycidyl ether of tris(hydroxyphenyl)methane; the polyglycidyl etherof a phenol or substituted phenolaldehyde condensation product(novolac); the polyglycidyl ether of a dicyclopentadiene or an oligomerthereof and phenol condensation product; the advancement reactionproducts of the aforesaid di- and polyglycidyl ethers with aromatic di-or polyhydroxyl- or carboxylic acid- containing compounds including, forexample, bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol), o-, m-,p-dihydroxybenzene, 2,4-dimethylresorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol,tetramethylhydroquinone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl ether,3,3',5,5'-tetramethyldihydroxydiphenyl ether,3,3',5,5'-dichlorodihydroxydiphenyl ether, 4,4'-bis-(p-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)diphenyl ether, 4,4'-bis-(p-hydroxyphenoxy)benzene,4,4'-bis(p-hydroxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether,4,4'-bis(4(4-hydroxyphenoxy)phenyl sulfone)diphenyl ether,4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide,4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl disulfide, 2,2'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone,4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl methane, 1,1-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane,4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, phloroglucinol, pyrogallol,2,2',5,5'-tetrahydroxydiphenyl sulfone, tris(hydroxyphenyl)methane,dicyclopentadiene diphenol, tricyclopentadiene diphenol; mixturesthereof and the like.

Before and/or during processing and/or curing of the epoxy resincompositions into a part, electric or magnetic fields, drawing and/orshear stresses can be applied for the purpose of orienting the liquidcrystal moieties contained or developed therein which in effect improvesthe mechanical properties. As specific examples of these methods,Finkelmann, et al. Macromol. Chem., 180, 803-806 (March 1979) inducedorientation in thermotropic methacrylate copolymers containing mesogenicside chain groups decoupled from the main chain via flexible spacers inan electric field. Orientation of mesogenic side chain groups decoupledfrom the polymer main chain via flexible spacers in a magnetic field hasbeen demonstrated by Roth and Kruecke, Macromol. Chem., 187, 2655-2662(November 1986). Magnetic field induced orientation of mesogenic mainchain containing polymers has been demonstrated by Moore, et al, ACSPolymeric Material Sciences and Engineering, 52, 84-86 (April-May 1985).Magnetic and electric field orientation of low molecular weightmesogenic Compounds is discussed by W. R. Krigbaum in Polymer LiquidCrystals, pages 275-309 (1982) published by Academic Press, Inc. All ofthe above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In addition to orientation by electric or magnetic fields, polymericmesophases can be oriented by shear forces which are induced by drawingand/or flow through dies, orefices, and mold gates. A general discussionfor orientation of thermotropic liquid crystal polymers by this methodis given by S. K. Garg and S. Kenig in High Modulus Polymers, pages71-103 (1988) published by Marcel Dekker, Inc. For the mesomorphicsystems based on the epoxy resin compositions, this shear orientationcan be produced by processing methods such as injection molding,extrusion, pultrusion, filament winding, filming and prepreging.

The rodlike mesogenic epoxy resins of the present invention can beblended with other materials such as solvents or diluents, fillers,pigments, dyes, flow modifiers, thickeners, reinforcing agents, moldrelease agents, wetting agents, stabilizers, fire retardant agents,surfactants, combinations thereof and the like.

These additives are added in functionally equivalent amounts, e.g., thepigments and/or dyes are added in quantities which will provide thecomposition with the desired color; however, they are suitably employedin amounts of from about zero to about 20, more suitably from about 0.5to about 5, most suitably from about 0.5 to about 3 percent by weightbased upon the weight of the total blended composition.

Solvents or diluents which can be employed herein include, for example,hydrocarbons, ketones, glycol ethers, aliphatic ethers, cyclic ethers,esters, amides, combinations thereof and the like. Particularly suitablesolvents or diluents include, for example, toluene, benzene, xylene,methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diethylene glycol methylether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dimethylformamide,N-methylpyrrolidinone, tetrahydrofuran, propylene glycol methyl ether,combinations thereof and the like.

The modifiers such as thickeners, flow modifiers and the like can besuitably employed in amounts of from zero to about 10, more suitablefrom about 0.5 to about 6, most suitably from about 0.5 to about 4percent by weight based upon the weight of the total composition.

Reinforcing materials which can be employed herein include natural andsynthetic fibers in the form of woven fabric, mats, monofilament,multifilament, unidirectional fibers, rovings, random fibers orfilaments, inorganic fillers or whiskers, hollow spheres, and the like.Suitable reinforcing materials include, glass, ceramics, nylon, rayon,cotton, aramid, graphite, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyethylene,polypropylene, polyesters, combinations thereof and the like.

Suitable fillers which can be employed herein include, for example,inorganic oxides, ceramic microspheres, plastic microspheres, glassmicrospheres, inorganic whiskers, CaCO₃, combinations thereof and thelike.

The fillers can be employed in amounts suitable from about zero to about95, more suitably from about 10 to about 80, most suitable from about 40to about 60 percent by weight based upon the weight of the totalcomposition.

The following examples are illustrative of the present invention, butare not to be construed as to limiting its scope in any manner.

COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENT A 1. Preparation of a Neat Resin Casting of theDiglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A

A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (50.00 grams) having an epoxideequivalent weight of 175.6 is combined with an equivalent amount of acuring agent, sulfanilamide (12.26 grams). This blend is heated in a170° C. convection oven for 20 minutes to dissolve all of thesulfanilamide. This resinous mixture is then transferred to a 100° C.oven where it is allowed to cool for 20 minutes. A 70 weight percentsolution of tetrabutylphosphonium acetate.acetic acid complex inmethanol (0.28 grams, 4480 ppm based on the total weight of the resinmixture) is then added to promote the eventual cure. The resin is nextdegassed in a vacuum bell jar and then poured into an aluminum mold(dimensions=4.5"×5.0"×0.125"; 114.3 mm×127 mm×3.18 mm) which iscontained in a 120° C. convection oven. After one hour at 120° C., thetemperature of the oven is increased and held for one hour at 150° C.and 180° C. After one hour at 180° C., the temperature of the oven isincreased to 200° C. where it is held for 1.5 hours before cooling toroom temperature. At room temperature, a translucent, neat resin castingis obtained from the mold. Differential scanning calorimetry analysisfor this polymer shows complete cure. The glass transition temperature,as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, is 185° C.. Theglass transition temperature, which is also determined by dynamicmechanical analysis, is 186° C. and is in close agreement with the valueobtained by differential scanning calorimetry. The tensile storagemodulus at 40° C. which is obtained from the dynamic mechanical analysisis 670 MPa (97,150 psi). The flexural strength and modulus determinedfor this polymer by ASTM Method D790 are 19,960 psi (137.6 MPa) and472,000 psi (93,254.3 MPa), respectively.

2. Preparation of Cast Films of the Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A

A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (30.00 grams) having an epoxideequivalent weight of 179.5 is combined with an equivalent amount of acuring agent, sulfanilamide (7.20 grams). This blend is heated in a 170°C. convection oven for 20 minutes to dissolve all of the sulfanilamide.This resinous mixture is then transferred to a 100° C. oven where it isallowed to cool for 20 minutes. A 70 weight percent solution oftetrabutylphosphonium acetate-acetic acid complex in methanol (0.18grams, 4810 ppm based on the total weight of the resin mixture) is thenadded to promote the eventual cure. This resin is next degassed in avacuum bell jar and then poured into a stainless steel mold(dimensions=7.5"×0.5"×0.021"; 190.5 mm×12.7 mm×0.53 mm) located in a120° C. convection oven. The mold is then transferred to a mechanicalpress heated to 120° C.. Pressure (approximately 2,000 psi, 13.8 MPa) isapplied to this mold within 5 minutes. After one hour at 120° C., thetemperature of the press is increased and held for one hour at 150° C.and 180° C.. After one hour at 180° C., the temperature of the press isincreased to 200° C. where it is held for 1.5 hours before cooling toroom temperature. After cooling to room temperature, a translucent filmis obtained from the mold. The glass transition temperature for thispolymer is 180° C. as determined by thermal mechanical analysis. Theaverage tensile strength and modulus for 5 castings prepared using thisprocedure are 8,803 psi (60.7 MPa) (standard deviation=860 psi, 5.9 MPa)and 515,000 psi (3,550.8 MPa) (standard deviation=9,000 psi, 62 MPa),respectively.

3. Preparation of a Neat Resin Casting of the Diglycidyl Ether ofBisphenol A and Measurement of Chemical Resistance

A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (50.00 grams) having an epoxideequivalent weight of 175.6 is combined with an equivalent amount of acuring agent, sulfanilamide (12.26 grams). This blend is heated in a170° C. convection oven for 20 minutes to dissolve all of thesulfanilamide. This resinous mixture is then transferred to a 100° C.oven where it is allowed to cool for 30 minutes. A 70 weight percentsolution of tetrabutylphosphonium acetate.acetic acid complex inmethanol (0.28 grams, 4480 ppm based on the total weight of the resinmixture) is then added to promote the eventual cure. The resin is nextdegassed in a vacuum bell jar and then poured into an aluminum mold(dimensions=4.5"×5.0"×0.125"; 114.3 mm×127 mm×3.18 mm) which ispreheated in a 120° C. convection oven. After 1.5 hours at 120° C., thetemperature of the oven is increased and held one hour at 150° C. and180° C.. After one hour at 180° C., the temperature of the oven isincreased to 200° C. where it is held for 2 hours before cooling to roomtemperature. At room temperature, a translucent neat resin casting isobtained from the mold. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis forthis polymer showed complete cure. The glass transition temperature, asdetermined by differential scanning calorimetry is 188° C.. From thecasting obtained, test coupons which are approximately 0.5" wide by 1.5"long (12.7 mm×38.1 mm) are cut and individually weighed. These couponsare separately immersed in methylene chloride, methylethyl ketone,dimethylformamide and bleach, then maintained therein at roomtemperature (approximately 23° C.). After immersion for a measured time,the coupons are removed from the chemical, wiped dry and then weighed.For these neat resin coupons of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol Acured with sulfanilamide, the percent weight gains are 26.6 after 30days in methylene chloride, 4.1 after 60 days in methylethyl ketone, 5.7after 30 days in dimethylformamide and 1.0 after 30 days in bleach. Theresults are reported in Table IV.

4. Preparation of an Injection Molded, Graphite Composite of theDiglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A

A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (4.95 grams) having an epoxideequivalent weight of 179.5 is placed in a 160° C. oven. After the resinhas been in the oven for 8 minutes, an equivalent amount of a curingagent, sulfanilamide (1.187 grams), is added. This mixture isperiodically stirred over the next 10 minutes to dissolve all thesulfanilamide into to the resin. Chopped graphite fibers (1.083 grams;1/4 inch. 6.35 mm, long) are then added. The graphite fibers used areobtained from Fortafil Fibers, Inc. and the manufacturer's designationfor this product is Fortafil® 3 (c) 1/4 07. After adding the graphitefibers (15 weight percent based on total components), they are mixedwith the resin over the next 5 minutes to produce a blend. This blend isnext degassed using a vacuum bell jar and then transferred to thereservoir of an injection molder which is temperature controlled at 120°C.. After 20 minutes, heating of the molder reservoir is discontinued.When the molder reservoir has cooled to 100° C., the mixture is injectedthrough a 1/8"×3/32" (3.175 mm×2.38 mm) rectangular orifice into a mold(dimensions=3"×0.5"×0.125"; 76.2 mm×12.7 mm×3.175 mm) which is preheatedto 85° C.. This mold is then immediately transferred to an 85° C. oven.After 14.5 hours at 85° C., the oven temperature is increased to 230° C.over a 7 hour period. The oven temperature is then maintained at 230° C.for 4 hours before cooling to room temperature. At room temperature agraphite composite of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured withsulfanilamide is obtained from the mold. The flexural strength andmodulus for this composite are 21,450 psi (147.9 MPa) and 1,179,000 psi(8,129 MPa), respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry isperformed at a heating rate of 10° C. per minute for a sample of thecomposite (approximately 20 milligrams). This analysis showed a glasstransition temperature of 190° C.. The results are reported in Table V.

COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENT B 1. Preparation of a Solvent Borne Coating ofthe Phenoxy Resin of 4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol and the Diglycidylether of 4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol

Cyclohexanone (66.7% weight, 29.7 grams) and a commercial grade phenoxyresin prepared from 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol and the diglycidyl etherof 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (33.3% weight. 14.82 grams) is combinedto form a solution. This solution is applied to the surface of a4"×12"×0.32" (101.6 mm×304.8 mm×8.128 mm) unpolished cold rolled steelpanel, which had been washed with methylene chloride, using a number 40drawdown bar. The coated panel is allowed to dry for twelve hours atroom temperature (25° C.) to provide a smooth transparent coating whichis free of flaws. Further drying at 100° C. is completed for eighthours, then a sample of the coating is scraped off and examined viacrosspolarized light microscopy demonstrating a total lack ofbirefringence. A portion of the 1 mil thick coated panel is tested forflexibility via the T-bend test using a standard method (ASTM D4145-83). The temperature at which the specimens are bent is 25° C.,with all bends made perpendicular to the direction of the coatingdrawdown. After the application and removal of the specified pressuresensitive tape to the bent surface, the coating in the bend region istreated for 15 seconds with acidified copper sulfate. After rinsing toremove the acidified copper sulfate, the blotted surface is examined viaoptical microscopy or defects. The coating failed OT as evidenced by thepenetration of acidified copper sulfate to etch the metal surface,sometimes passed 1T, but consistently passed 2T (no penetration ofacidified copper sulfate).

EXAMPLE 1 A. Synthesis of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene

Phenol (188.22 grams, 2.0 moles) and chloroacetone (102.81 grams. 1.0mole as chloroacetone) are added to a reactor and cooled to -10° C. withstirring. The chloroacetone used is a technical grade containing 90%chloroacetone, 2.5% acetone, 6.5% 1,1-dichloroacetone and 1.0%1,3-dichloroacetone. concentrated sulfuric acid (98.08 grams, 1.0 mole)is added dropwise to the stirred solution over a one hour period inorder to maintain the reaction temperature between -10° C. and -11° C.After two hours of post reaction at the -10° C. temperature, the viscousorange oil product is mixed with 500 milliliters of iced deionizedwater. The oil product is separated then washed with a second 500milliliter portion of chilled deionized water. After separation, therecovered oil product is added to a 2-liter beaker along with 250milliliters of ethanol and stirred to provide a solution. Deionizedwater (250 milliliters) is added to the stirred solution and heatingcommenced. As the temperature of the mixture increases, the stirredmixture begins to clear. Each time clearing is observed, sufficientdeionized water is added to induce cloudiness, followed by continuationof the mixing and heating. Once the temperature reaches 90° C., amassive precipitation of white crystalline plates occurs. At this time,heating and stirring ceases and the mixture is chilled to 5° C. and heldtherein for 12 hours. The crystalline product is recovered byfiltration, washed with two 150 milliliter portions of deionized water,then dried at 90° C. and 5 mm Hg to a constant weight of 103 grams.Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and infrared spectrophotometricanalysis confirms the product structure for4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene.

B. Epoxidation of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene

4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (113.13 grams. 1.0 hydroxyl equivalent)prepared using the method of A above, epichlorohydrin (462.65 grams. 5moles), deionized water (40.23 grams, 8.0 percent by weight of theepichlorohydrin used) and isopropanol (249.12 grams, 35 percent byweight of the epichlorohydrin used) are added to a reactor and heated to55° C. with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. Once the 55° C.reaction temperature is achieved, sodium hydroxide (36.0 grams, 0.90mole) dissolved in deionized water (144 grams) is added dropwise to thereactor over a 40 minute period in order to maintain a reactiontemperature between 55° and 59° C.. Ten minutes after completion of theaqueous sodium hydroxide addition, the stirring is stopped and theaqueous layer which separates from the reaction mixture is pipetted offand discarded. Stirring is resumed and after a total of twenty minutesfollowing completion of the initial aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, asecond solution of sodium hydroxide (16.0 grams, 0.40 mole) dissolved indeionized water (64 grams) is added to the reactor over a twenty minuteperiod so as to maintain the 55° C. reaction temperature. Fifteenminutes after completion of the aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, therecovered reaction mixture is added to a separatory funnel and washedwith 750 milliliters of deionized water. The separated organic layer iswashed a second time (750 milliliters deionized water), recovered andthen rotary evaporated under vacuum for 45 minutes at 110° C. then 30minutes at 130° C. The product is recovered (166.5 grams) as acrystalline off-white solid with an epoxide equivalent weight of 181.46.

C. Characterization of Liquid Crystallinity in the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene

A portion (10.84 milligrams) of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene from B above is analyzed bydifferential scanning calorimetry using a heating rate of 10° C. perminute and a temperature range of 30° C. to 150° C.. The results arereported in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY ANALYSIS                                    OF THE DIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF                                                    4,4'-DIHYDROXY-a-METHYLSTILBENE                                                         Observed                                                                      Transition                                                                    Temperatures                                                        Cycle     (°C.)                                                                              Enthalpy                                                Designation                                                                             midpoint/range                                                                            (J/g)     Comments                                      ______________________________________                                        First heat                                                                              73/55-84    6.3       --                                            (30 to 150° C.)                                                                  122/84-130  41.8      --                                            First cooling                                                                           --/81-52    --        2 unresolved                                  (150 to 30° C.)          broad, flat peaks                             Second heat                                                                             84/48-92    31.4      --                                            (30 to 150° C.)                                                                  (shoulder at 69)                                                               124/108-132                                                                              3.6       --                                            Second cooling                                                                          -/81-52     --        2 unresolved                                  (150 to 30° C.)          broad, flat peaks                             ______________________________________                                    

Analysis of the diglycidyl ether via polarized light microscopy iscompleted using a microscope equipped with a programmable hot stageusing a heating rate of 20° C. per minute. The results are reported inTABLE II.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY ANALYSIS                                           OF THE DIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF                                                    4,4'-DIHYDROXY-α-METHYLSTILBENE                                                   Observed                                                                      Transition                                                          Cycle     Temperatures                                                        Designation                                                                             (°C.)                                                                              Comments                                                ______________________________________                                        First heat                                                                              109         First fluidity noted.                                             137         Isotropization completed.                               First cooling                                                                           91          First mobile nematic droplets                                                 observed.                                                         51          First crystallization noted.                            Second heat                                                                             63          First fluidity noted.                                             78          Flows to nematic texture.                                         86          Isotropization completed but                                                  minor crystalline fraction                                                    still present.                                                    133         All crystalline fraction melted.                        Second cooling                                                                          91          First mobile nematic droplets                                                 observed.                                                         51          First crystallization noted.                            ______________________________________                                    

The diglycidyl ether is a monotropic liquid crystal with a nematictexture. Two fractions are present: the higher melting crystallinefraction becomes liquid crystalline at 91° C. (microscopic observation)followed by the development of liquid crystallinity in the second, lowermelting fraction. This accounts for the broadness and overlappingobserved in the cooling cycles by differential scanning calorimetry.

D. Preparation of a Neat Resin Casting of the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene

A diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (36.56 grams,epoxide equivalent weight of 182.0) prepared using the same method as inB is melted in a 160° C. convection oven. An equivalent amount of acuring agent, sulfanilamide (8.65 grams), is then added to the resin.After all of the sulfanilamide has dissolved (approximately 20 minutes),the mixture is then degassed in a vacuum bell jar and poured into analuminum mold (dimensions=4.5"×5.0"×0.125"; 114.3 mm×127 mm×3.18 mm)'Located in a 100° C. oven. After two hours at 100° C., the temperatureof the oven is increased and held for one hour at the followingtemperatures: 120° C., 140° C., 160° C., 180° C., 200° C. and 220° C..Upon cooling to room temperature, an opaque, cream colored casting isobtained from the mold. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis ofthis polymer shows no discernable transitions or exothermic activity to280° C.. The apparent glass transition temperature for this polymer, asdetermined by dynamic mechanical analysis, is 260° C. which is 74° C.higher than that obtained for the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A inComparative Experiment A-1. The dynamic mechanical analysis also gives atensile storage modulus of 950 MPa (137,750 psi) at 40° C. for thispolymer which is 40 percent higher than that obtained for the diglycidylether of bisphenol A. The flexural strength and modulus obtained forthis casting using ASTM Method D790 are 18,900 psi (130.3 MPa) and493,000 psi (3,399.1 MPa), respectively. These flexural properties arecomparable to those obtained for the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A ofComparative Experiment A-1. The results are reported in Table III.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        PROPERTIES OF NEAT RESIN CASTINGS                                                                        DIGLYCIDYL                                                      DIGLYCIDYL    ETHER OF                                                        ETHER OF      4,4'-DIHYDROXY-                                                 BISPHENOL A   α-METHYL-                                                 (Comparative  STILBENE                                           PROPERTY     Experiment A-1)                                                                             (Example 1-D)                                      ______________________________________                                        Glass Transition                                                                           186           260                                                Temperature, °C.    (apparent)                                         (Dynamic Mechanical                                                           Analysis)                                                                     Tensile Storage                                                                            670           950                                                Modulus, MPa (97,150 psi)  (137,750 psi)                                      (Dynamic Mechanical                                                           Analysis)                                                                     Flexural Strength,                                                                         19,960        18,900                                             psi          (137.6 MPa)   (130.3 MPa)                                        Flexural Modulus, psi                                                                      472,000       493,000                                                         (3,254.3 MPa) (3,399.1 MPa)                                      ______________________________________                                    

In addition to the above analysis, a sample of the resinous mixture ofthe diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene andsulfanilamide which is used to prepare this casting is viewed under anoptical microscope (70× magnification) using a cross polarized lightsource. This sample is heated to 100° C. and held at this temperature toduplicate the initial curing conditions of the casting. After 30 minutesat 100° C., a nematic liquid crystalline texture begins to develop. Atthis stage of resin advancement, shear pressure is applied by moving themicroscope slide cover under which the sample is contained. With theapplication of this shear pressure, birefringent, fibrous domains areobserved to form and orient in one direction.

E. Preparation of a Neat Resin Casting of the Diglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-Methylstilbene and Measurement of Chemical Resistance

A diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (19.28 grams,epoxide equivalent weight of 179.2) prepared using the same method as inB is melted in a 160° C. convection oven. After melt of this resin hasoccurred, an equivalent amount of a curing agent, sulfanilamide (4.65grams), is added. This mixture is periodically stirred over the next 10minutes to dissolve all the sulfanilamide into the resin. The mixture isthen degassed in a vacuum bell jar and poured into an aluminum mold(dimensions=3"×3"×0.125"; 76.2 mm×76.2 mm×3.18 mm) preheated in a 120°C. oven. After two hours at 120° C., the temperature of the oven isincreased and held for one hour at the following temperatures: 150° C.,180° C. and 200° C.. After one hour at 200° C., the temperature of theoven is increased to 225° C. where it is held for 2 hours before coolingto room temperature. Upon cooling to room temperature, an opaque, creamcolored casting is obtained from the mold. Differential scanningcalorimetry analysis of this polymer showed no discernable transitionsor exothermic activity to 270° C.. From the casting obtained, testcoupons which are approximately 0.5" wide by 1.5" long (12.7 mm×38.1 mm)are cut and individually weighed. These coupons are separately immersedin methylene chloride, methylethyl ketone, dimethylformamide and bleach,then maintained therein at room temperature (approximately 23° C. Afterimmersion for a measured time, the coupons are removed from thechemical, wiped dry and then weighed. For these neat resin coupons ofthe diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstillbene cured withsulfanilamide, the percent weight gains are 0.56 after 30 days inmethylene chloride, 0.02 after 60 days in methylethyl ketone, 0.67 after30 days in dimethylformamide and 0.25 after 30 days in bleach. Theresults are reported in Table IV.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        SOLVENT ABSORPTION FOR NEAT RESIN CASTINGS                                               Diglycidyl Ether of                                                                       Diglycidyl ether of                                               Bisphenol A 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-                                           (Comparative                                                                              methylstilbene                                                    Experiment A-3)*                                                                          (Example 1-E)                                          ______________________________________                                        Percent Weight Gain                                                                        26.6          0.56                                               After 30 Days                                                                 Immersion in                                                                  Methylene Chloride                                                            Percent Weight Gain                                                                        4.17          0.02                                               After 60 Days                                                                 Immersion in                                                                  Methylethyl Ketone                                                            Percent Weight Gain                                                                        5.7           0.67                                               After 30 Days                                                                 Immersion in                                                                  Dimethyl-formamide                                                            Percent Weight Gain                                                                        1.0           0.25                                               After 30 Days                                                                 Immersion in Bleach                                                           ______________________________________                                         *Not an example of the present invention.                                

F. Preparation of an Injection Molded, Graphite Composite of theDiglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene

A diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (4.95 grams,epoxide equivalent weight of 177.25) prepared using the same method asin B is placed in a 160° C. oven. After melt of this resin has occurred(approximately 8 minutes), an equivalent amount of a curing agent,sulfanilamide (1.202 grams), is added. This mixture is periodicallystirred over the next 10 minutes to dissolve all the sulfanilamide intothe resin. Chopped graphite fibers (1.086 grams; 1/4 inch long) are thenadded. The graphite fibers used are obtained from Fortafil Fibers, Inc.,and the manufacturer's designation for this product is Fortafil® 3 (c)1/4 07. After adding the graphite fibers (15 weight percent based ontotal components), they are mixed with the resin over the next 5 minutesto produce a blend. This blend is next degassed using a vacuum bell jarand then transferred to the reservoir of an injection molder which istemperature controlled at 120° C.. After 20 minutes, heating of themolder reservoir is discontinued. When the molder reservoir has cooledto 100° C., the mixture is injected through a 1/8"×3/32" (3.175 mm×2.38mm) rectangular orifice into a mold (dimensions=3"×0.5" ×0.125"; 76.2mm×12.7 mm×3.18 mm ) which is preheated to 85° C.. This mold is thenimmediately transferred to an 85° C. oven. After 17 hours at 85° C., thetemperature is increased to 230° C. over a 7 hour period. The oventemperature is then maintained at 230° C. for 6 hours before cooling toroom temperature. At room temperature a graphite composite of thediglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene cured withsulfanilamide is obtained from the mold. The flexural strength andmodulus for this composite are 27,740 psi (191.3 MPa) and 1,719,000 psi(11,852.2 MPa), respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry isperformed at a heating rate of 10° C. per minute for a sample of thecomposite (approximately 20 milligrams). This analysis shows nodiscernable glass transition temperature to 300° C. The results arereported in Table V.

                  TABLE V                                                         ______________________________________                                        PROPERTIES FOR INJECTION MOLDED, GRAPHITE                                     COMPOSITES                                                                               Diglycidyl Ether of                                                                       Diglycidyl ether of                                               Bisphenol A 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-                                           (Comparative                                                                              methylstilbene                                                    Experiment A-4)*                                                                          (Example 1-F)                                          ______________________________________                                        Glass Transition                                                                           190           None Detected                                      Temperature, °C.                                                       (Differential Scanning                                                        Calorimetry)                                                                  Flexural Strength, psi                                                                     21,450        27,740                                                          (147.9 MPa)   (191.3 MPa)                                        Flexural Modulus, psi                                                                      1,179,000     1,719,000                                                       (8,129 MPa)   (11,852.2 MPa)                                     ______________________________________                                         *Not an example of the present invention.                                

G. Preparation of a Cured Resin Composition Based on a Mixture of theDiglycidyl ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene and the DiglycidylEther of Bisphenol A

The diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (4.9129 grams,epoxide equivalent weight=179.1) prepared using the same method as in Bis melted in a 160° C. convection oven. After the resin has melted, anequivalent amount of curing agent, sulfanilamide (1.1809 grams), isadded. This blend is periodically stirred over the the next 15 minutesto dissolve all the sulfanilamide. After the sulfanilamide hasdissolved, the mixture is removed from the oven and cooled to roomtemperature. At room temperature, part of this is material (0.2875grams) is added to an aluminum cup containing 0.2875 grams of a mixtureconsisting of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (epoxide equivalentweight=175.6) and an equivalent amount of dissolved curing agent(sulfanilamide). The aluminum cup containing the blend of the diglycidylether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene and the diglycidyl ether ofbisphenol A is then placed in a 120° C. convection oven. Anotheraluminum cup containing 0.46 grams of a control (a mixture of thediglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, an equivalent amount of sulfanilamideand 4480 PPM of tetrabutylphosphonium acetate-acetic acid complex (70percent solids in methanol) prepared using the same procedure as inComparative Experiment A-1) is also placed in the 120° C. oven at thesame time. In the oven, these two resin systems are stirred during thefirst 10 minutes and then allowed to gel. After 3 hours at 120° C., theoven temperature is increased and held for one hour at the followingtemperatures: 150° C., 180° C. and 200° C. After 1 hour at 200° C., theoven temperature is increased to 225° C. where it is held for 2 hoursbefore cooling to room temperature. At room temperature, the two curedresin compositions are removed from the aluminum CUP3 and differentialscanning calorimetry analysis is performed for these polymers todetermine the glass transition temperature. The glass transitiontemperature for the control, the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A curedwith sulfanilamide, is 185° C. which reproduces the value obtained inComparative Experiment A-1. The glass transition temperature for themixture of the diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene andthe diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured with sulfanilamide is 211° C.which represents a 26° C. improvement over the control.

EXAMPLE 2 A. Synthesis of 4,4'-Dihydroxybenzanilide

One hundred grams of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (0.467 mole) is added to300 milliliters of ethanol in a stirred, 1-liter Erlenmeyer flask. Afterthe 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone has dissolved, a solution consisting of48.6 grams of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.699 mole) and 57.4 grams ofsodium acetate (0.700 mole) in 70 milliliters of deionized water isadded followed by an additional 100 milliliters of ethanol. This mixtureis stirred and heated on a hot plate to a gentle refluxing condition(75° C.). After heating for 4 hours, the solution is allowed to cool toroom temperature with stirring and then filtered. One hundredmilliliters of ethanol is used to wash the filter cake. The totalfiltrant obtained (600.4 grams) is then concentrated to a weight of219.2 grams by evaporation of the ethanol and water. This solution isthen placed in a stirred 1-liter Erlenmeyer flask to which 600milliliters of deionized water is added. With the addition of thedeionized water, a white precipitate is formed. After 30 minutes ofstirring, this solution is filtered. The 30lids obtained weigh 98.22grams after drying. Sixty-six grams of this material(4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone oxime, 0.288 mole) is added to 330milliliters of glacial acetic acid in a 500 milliliter round bottomflask equipped with a stirrer, water cooled condensor, nitrogen purgeand heating mantle. A catalytic amount of toluenesulfonic acid (1.85grams, 0.027 mole) is next added and the reaction mixture is then heatedto 83° C. After heating for approximately 2 hours, a precipitate isformed which is stirred for an additional 2 hours at 87° C. Twenty-fivemilliliters of deionized water is next added and after 30 minutes, thecontents of the reaction flask are transferred to a stirred, 1-literErlenmeyer flask. Immediately following this transfer, 400 millilitersof deionized water is added. This solution is stirred for 45 minutes andthen filtered. The filter cake obtained is washed With 800 millilitersof deionized water and then dried. The resultant solids, which are alight beige color, weigh 54.82 grams. Fourier transform infraredanalysis of this product shows absorbances which are indicative of thestructure for 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide. Differential scanningcalorimetry analysis shows a sharp melt endotherm at 273° C. for the4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide thus obtained.

B. Epoxidation of 4,4'-Dihydroxybenzanilide

4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide (99.6 grams, 0.434 mole) prepared from themethod given in A, epichlorohydrin (804.57 grams, 8.70 moles), deionizedwater (69.96 grams, 8.0 percent by weight of the epichlorohydrin used)and isopropanol (433.23 grams, 35 percent by weight of theepichlorohydrin used) are added to a round bottom flask and heated to65° C. with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. After the temperaturehas reached 65° C., sodium hydroxide (31.31 grams, 0.78 mole) dissolvedin deionized water (125.25 grams) is added dropwise over a one hourperiod so as to maintain the reaction temperature at 65° C. Fifteenminutes after completion of the aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, thestirring is stopped and the aqueous Layer which separated from thereaction mixture is removed and discarded. Stirring is then resumed anda second solution of sodium hydroxide (13.92 grams. 0.35 mole) dissolvedin deionized water (55.66 grams) is added over a 30 minute period so asto maintain the reaction temperature at 65° C. Fifteen minutes aftercompletion of the second aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, stirring andheating are stopped and the reaction mixture is transferred to aseparatory funnel. The aqueous layer which separated from the reactionmixture is removed and discarded. As the remaining organic layer coolsto room temperature, sufficient methylene chloride is added to keep theepoxy resin dissolved in solution. The cooled organic layer obtained isthen washed four times with deionized water. The volume of deionizedwater used during each wash is approximately one half that of theorganic layer. The washed organic layer is then rotary evaporated undervacuum at 125° C. The final product obtained after drying is anoff-white crystalline solid (142.03 grams, yield=95.8% based on4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide) which has a melting point of 180°-185° C. andan epoxide equivalent weight of 178.0.

C. Characterization of the Diglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxybenzanilidefor Liquid Crystal Character

A sample of the diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide preparedin B is heated on a hot stage under an optical microscope (70×magnification) using a cross polarized light source. Melting andclearing to an isotropic state is observed between 179°-185° C. Uponcooling from 185° C., the development of a birefringent phase is firstobserved at 165° C. which is completed at 160° C. In this temperaturerange, the resin is still fluid. On further cooling, the resin isobserved to crystallize at approximately 150° C.

Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide at a heating rate of 20° C. per minute shows asmall endotherm (14 joules/gram) between 150°-170° C. followed by a meltendotherm at 183° C. On cooling at 20° C. per minute, a small broadexotherm is observed between 180° and 148° C. followed by a largerexotherm beginning at 148° C. (-50 joules/gram). These observedtransitions change with repeated heating and cooling which is attributedto the slow self-cure of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide at these temperatures.

To determine the characteristics of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide when chain extended, 0.2504 grams of thisresin containing 6000 ppm tetrabutylphosponium acetate-acetic acidcomplex (70 percent in methanol) is combined and mixed with 0.67equivalent of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide (0.1083 gram). This mixture isplaced between two glass plates and then heated to 250° C. where anisotropic film is produced. Upon cooling, a birefringent schlieren typetexture is observed for this film when viewed under an opticalmicroscope (70× magnification) using a cross polarized light source.These results indicate that a liquid crystal glass can be producedthrough the advancement and/or cure of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide.

D. Preparation of Cast Films of the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxybenzanilide

Part of the diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide prepared fromB (4.3925 grams) is combined and mixed with an equivalent amount of acuring agent, sulfanilamide (1.0624 grams). This blend of solids is thenplaced in a 175° C. convection oven. After melt has occurred(approximately 10 minutes) the resinous mixture is poured into a mold(dimensions=7.5"×0.5"×0.021"; 190.5 mm×12.7 mm×0.53 mm) also located inthe same convection oven. This mold is then placed in a mechanical pressheated to 130° C. Pressure (approximately 2,000 psi, 13.8 MPa) is thenapplied to the mold within 5 minutes. After 1.5 hours at 130° C., thetemperature of the press is increased and held for one hour at thefollowing temperatures: 160° C., 180° C. and 200° C. After one hour at200° C., the temperature of the press is raised to 225° C. where it isheld for two hours before it is allowed to cool to room temperature.After cooling to room temperature an opaque casting is obtained from themold. The flash from this casting, which results from excess resin beingsqueezed from the mold, exhibits a birefringent texture which isoriented in the direction of its flow formation. The apparent glasstransition temperature for this polymer is 245° C. as determined bythermal mechanical analysis which is 65° C. higher than that obtainedfor the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A in Comparative Experiment A-2.The average tensile strength and modulus for two cast films preparedusing this procedure are 12,450 psi (85.8 MPa) (standard deviation=1,460psi, 10.1 MPa) and 635,000 psi (4,378.2 MPa) (standard deviation=3,500psi, 24.1 MPa), respectively. These values represent a 41 and 23 percentimprovement for these respective properties when compared to thoseobtained for the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A in ComparativeExperiment A-2. The results are reported in Table VI.

                  TABLE VI                                                        ______________________________________                                        PROPERTIES FOR CAST FILMS                                                                  DIGLYCIDYL    DIGLYCIDYL                                                      ETHER OF      ETHER OF                                                        BISPHENOL A   4,4'-DIHYDROXY-                                                 (Comparative  BENZANILIDE                                        PROPERTY     Experiment A-2)                                                                             (Example 2-D)                                      ______________________________________                                        Glass Transition                                                                           180           245                                                Temperature, °C.    (apparent)                                         (Thermal Mechanical                                                           Analysis)                                                                     Tensile Strength,                                                                          8,803         12,450                                             psi          (60.7 MPa)    (85.8 MPa)                                         Tensile Modulus,                                                                           515,000       635,000                                            psi          3,550.8 MPa)  4,378.2 MPa)                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3 A. Synthesis of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-2,2'-Dimethylazoxybenzene

3-Methyl-4-nitrophenol (15.3 grams, 0.10 mole) in anhydroustetrahydrofuran (100 milliliters) is added dropwise to a vigorouslystirred, refluxing suspension of excess lithium aluminum hydride (6.0grams) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (100 milliliters). After completionof the addition, reflux is maintained for an additional 24 hours. Therecovered mixture is poured over crushed ice then extracted with diethylether. The ether extract is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfatefollowed by rotary evaporation under vacuum to provide a wine red solididentified as 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazobenzene by nuclear magneticresonance spectroscopy. Oxidation of the recovered azo compound isaccomplished by dissolution in tetrahydrofuran followed by addition of a10 mole percent excess of 32% peracetic acid at 25° C. Two hours afteraddition of the peracetic acid, the solution is poured into a mixture ofsaturated sodium bisulfite (50 milliliters) and saturated sodiumbicarbonate (50 milliliters). The precipitated solid is filtered fromthe aqueous mixture then recrystallized from deionized water to provide4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene (11.0 grams).

B. Epoxidation of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-2,2'-Dimethylazoxybenzene

4,4'Dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene (9.0 grams, 0.07 hydroxylequivalent), epichlorohydrin (64.5 grams, 0.7 mole), deionized water(2.8 grams, 8.0 percent by weight of the epichlorohydrin used) andisopropanol (17.4 grams, 35 percent by weight of the epichlorohydrinused) are added to a reactor and heated to 55° C. with stirring under anitrogen atmosphere. Once the 55° C. reaction temperature is achieved,sodium hydroxide (2.51 grams, 0.063 mole) dissolved in deionized water(10.0 grams) is added dropwise to the reactor over a 40 minute period inorder to maintain the reaction temperature at 55° C. Ten minutes aftercompletion of the aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, the stirring isstopped and the aqueous layer which separated from the reaction mixtureis pipetted off and discarded. Stirring is resumed and after a total oftwelve minutes following completion of the initial aqueous sodiumhydroxide addition, a second solution of sodium hydroxide (1.12 grams,0.028 mole) dissolved in deionized water (4.5 grams) is added to thereactor over a twenty minute period in order to maintain the 55° C.reaction temperature. Fifteen minutes after completion of the aqueoussodium hydroxide addition, the recovered reaction mixture is added to aseparatory funnel and washed with 300 milliliters of deionized water.The separated organic layer is washed a second time (300 millilitersdeionized water), recovered and then rotary evaporated under vacuum for60 minutes at 100° C. The product is recovered as a crystalline mustardyellow colored solid with an epoxide equivalent weight of 202.26(uncorrected).

C. Characterization of the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxy-2,2'-Dimethylazoxybenzene for Liquid Crystal Character

A sample of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene prepared in B is heated on ahot stage and viewed under an optical microscope (70× magnification)using a cross polarized light source. Softening of this resin is firstobserved at 50° C. On further heating, a melt is obtained at 86° C.which contains birefringent particles. These birefringent particlesbegin to disappear at 96° C. and a totally isotropic melt is observed at102° C. On cooling the resin from 102° C. to room temperature, no liquidcrystal textures are observed.

The diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzeneprepared from B (0.1200 gram) is combined and mixed with an equivalentamount of sulfanilamide (0.0255 gram). Sulfanilamide is chosen in thisanalysis as it is an epoxy curing agent which promotes a degree oflinear advancement before final crosslinking. A sample of this curablecomposition is heated on a hot stage and viewed under an opticalmicroscope (70× magnification) using a cross polarized light source. At170° C., an isotropic melt is obtained which sets after approximately 15minutes at this temperature. After one hour at 170° C., the temperatureis increased to 200° C. where it is held for 40 minutes before coolingto room temperature. Upon cooling to room temperature, a birefringentschlieren type pattern is observed which indicates the formation of apolymer which is a liquid crystalline glass.

EXAMPLE 4 A. Synthesis of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene

Phenol (376.44 grams, 4.0 moles), chloroacetone (192.77 grams, 2.0 molesas chloroacetone) and methylene chloride (300 grams) is added to areactor and cooled to -10° C. with stirring. The chloroacetone used is acommercial grade containing 96% chloroacetone. Concentrated sulfuricacid (196.16 grams, 2.0 mole) is added dropwise to the stirred solutionover a thirty seven minute period so as to maintain the reactiontemperature between -10° and -11° C. After 143 minutes of post reactionbetween a -10° to -11° C. temperature range, the viscous, orange coloredoil product was mixed with iced deionized water (500 milliliters). Theoil product is separated then washed with a second portion (500milliliters) of deionized water. After separation, the recovered oilproduct is added to a 2 liter beaker along with ethanol (250milliliters) and stirred to provide a solution. Deionized water (250milliliters) is added to the stirred solution and heating commences. Asthe temperature of the mixture increases, the stirred mixture begins toclear. Each time clearing is observed, sufficient deionized water isadded to induce cloudiness, followed by continuation of the mixing andheating. Once the temperature reaches 70° C., a massive precipitation ofwhite crystalline plates occurs and is followed by immediate coalesenceof the precipitated product to an oil. The oil layer is recovered bydecantation of the water layer and ethanol (250 milliliters) is added.Deionized water is again added to the stirred solution as heatingcommences, in the amount sufficient to induce cloudiness each timeclearing is observed. Once the temperature reaches 90° C., a massiveprecipitation of white crystalline plates again occurs. At this time,stirring is stopped and the crystalline product is chilled to 4° C. andheld therein for 12 hours. The crystalline product is recovered byfiltration of the chilled crystalline slurry and combined with deionizedwater (800 milliliters), then stirred with heating to 90° C. Aftermaintaining the stirred slurry at 90° C. for five minutes, thecrystalline product is recovered by filtration. The crystalline productis again combined with deionized water (800 milliliters), then stirredwith heating to 90° C. After maintaining the stirred slurry at 90° C.for five minutes, the crystalline product is recovered by filtration andthen dried in a vacuum oven at 100° C. and 5mm Hg to a constant weightof 190.0 grams of light tan colored crystalline solid. Proton magneticresonance spectroscopy and infrared spectrophotometric analysisconfirmed the product structure.

B. Epoxidation of 4,4-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene

4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene 152.73 grams, 1.35 hydroxylequivalents) from A above, epichlorohydrin (624.58 grams, 6.75 moles),deionized water (54.31 grams, 8.0 percent by weight of theepichlorohyrin used) and isopropanol (336.31 grams, 35 percent by weightof the epichlorohydrin used) is added to a reactor and heated to 55° C.with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. Once the 55° C. reactiontemperature is achieved, sodium hydroxide (48.6 grams, 1.22 moles)dissolves in deionized water (194.4 grams) is added dropwise to thereactor over a 45 minute period so as to maintain reaction temperaturebetween 55° and 59° C. Ten minutes after completion of the aqueoussodium hydroxide addition, the stirring is stopped and the aqueous layerwhich separated from the reaction mixture is pipetted off and discarded.Stirring is resumed and after a total of twenty minutes followingcompletion of the initial aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, a secondsolution of sodium hydroxide (21.6 grams, 0.54 mole) dissolved indeionized water (86.4 grams) is added to the reactor over a twentyminute period 30 as to maintain the 55° C. reaction temperature. Fifteenminutes after completion of the aqueous sodium hydroxide addition, therecovered reaction mixture is added to a separatory funnel and washedwith 750 milliliters of deionized water. The separated organic layer iswashed a second time (750 milliliters deionized water), recovered andthen rotary evaporated under vacuum for 45 minutes at 110° C. then 30minutes at 130° C. The product is recovered (218.6 grams) as acrystalline solid with an epoxide equivalent weight of 183.33.

C. Characterization of Liquid Crystallinity in the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene

A portion (13.12 milligrams) of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene from 3 above is analyzed bydifferential scanning calorimetry using a heating rate of 10° C. perminute and a temperature range of 30° to 150° C. The results arereported in Table VII:

                  TABLE VII                                                       ______________________________________                                                  Observed                                                                      Transition                                                                    Temperatures                                                        Cycle     (°C.)                                                                              Enthalpy                                                Designation                                                                             midpoint/range                                                                            (J/g)     Comments                                      ______________________________________                                        First heating                                                                            127/101-138                                                                              72.7      single endotherm                              (30 to 150° C.)                                                        First cooling                                                                           89/92-78    1.8       single endotherm                              (150 to 30° C.)                                                                  44/54-36    21.2      single endotherm                              Second heating                                                                          82/72-96    26.0      single endotherm                              (30 to 150° C.)                                                                  126/96-138  61.9      single endotherm                              Second cooling                                                                          89/92-73    3.0       single endotherm                              (150 to 30° C.)                                                                  44/54-36    21.8      single endotherm                              ______________________________________                                    

Analysis of the diglycidyl ether via crosspolarized light microscopy wascompleted using a microscope equipped with a programmable hot stageusing a heating rate of 10° C. per minute. The results are reported inTable VIII:

                  TABLE VIII                                                      ______________________________________                                                  Observed                                                                      Transition                                                          Cycle     Temperatures                                                        Designation                                                                             (°0)                                                                              Comments                                                 ______________________________________                                        First heating                                                                           30         Birefringent crystalline solid.                          (25 to 136° C.)                                                                  107        First fluidity noted, birefringent                                            crystals moving in an isotropic                                               fluid.                                                             135        Isotropization completed                                 First cooling                                                                           94         First mobile nematic droplets                            (136 to 30° C.)                                                                             observed.                                                          56.5       Crystallizes.                                            Second heating                                                                          77         First fluidity noted,                                    (30 to 136° C.)                                                                  106        birefringent crystals moving in                                               an isotropic fluid.                                                132        Isotropization completed.                                Second cooling                                                                          92         First mobile nematic droplets                            (129 to 30° C.)                                                                             observed.                                                          57         Crystallizes.                                            ______________________________________                                    

The diglycidyl ether is a monotropic liquid crystal with a nematictexture. The nematic fluid gives opalescence when stirred between the94° and 56.5° C. temperatures of the first cooling cycle.

D. Characterization of Liquid Crystallinity in the Phenoxy ResinPrepared via in situ Reaction of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene andthe Diglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene

A diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene (0.25 gram,0.0014 epoxide equivalent) prepared using the method of B above andhaving an epoxide equivalent weight of 176.81,4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene (0.16 gram, 0.0014 hydroxylequivalent) prepared using the method of A above and acetone (20milliliters) to which tetrabutylphosphonium acetate.acetic acid complex(70% solids in methanol) (0.0075 gram) has been added is mixed toprovide a solution. The resultant solution is evaporated to provide adry solid which is then ground to a fine homogeneous powder. A portionof the powder on a microscope slide is analyzed via crosspolarized lightmicroscopy using a microscope equipped with a programmable hot stage andusing a heating rate of 10° C. per minute to 131° C. then held therein.At 131° C., a totally isotropic fluid forms. After one minute at 131° C., a birefringent phase with a rodlike appearance is observed. After twominutes at 131° C., the birefringent, rodlike appearance increases andstir opalescence is present. After five minutes at 131° C., the productbecomes an opaque, birefringent solid. Heating of the opaque,birefringent solid to 250° C. produces no further changes in itsappearance. Upon cooling to 25° C., the solid product retains its opaqueand birefringent appearance.

E. Preparation of Phenoxy Resin of 4,4'Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbeneand the Diglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene and aSolvent Borne Coating thereof

A portion (5.6566 grams, 0.05 hydroxyl equivalent) of4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene from A above, a portion (9.1666grams, 0.05 epoxide equivalent) of the diglycidyl ether of4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-methylstilbene from B above and cyclohexanone (50.0grams) is added to a reactor and heated with stirring under a nitrogenatmosphere to provide a 90° C. solution. Once the 90° C. reactiontemperature is achieved, ethyltriphenylphosphonium acetate.acetic acidcomplex (70% solids in methanol) (0.0297 gram, 0.20% wt. of the diphenoland diglycidyl ether reactants used) is added to the reactor and heatingcontinues to 130° C. After eight hours at the 130° C. temperature, thereaction product is recovered as a transparent, viscous solution.Cyclohexanone is evaporated from the product solution to provide 33.3%by weight phenoxy resin (14.82 grams) in 66.7% weight cyclohexanone(29.7 grams). This solution is applied to the surface of a 4×12×0.32inch (101.6 mm×304.8 mm×8.128 mm) unpolished cold rolled steel panel,which has been washed with methylene chloride, using a number 40drawdown bar. The coated panel is allowed to dry for twelve hours atroom temperature (25° C.) to provide a smooth opaque coating which isfree of flaws. Further drying at 100° C. is completed for eight hours,then a sample of the coating is scraped off and examined viacrosspolarized light microscopy demonstrating birefringence. A portionof the 1 mil thick coated panel is tested for flexibility via the T-bendtest using a standard method (ASTM D 4145-83). The temperature at whichthe specimens are bent is 25° C. with all bends made perpendicular tothe direction of the coating drawdown. After the application and removalof the specified pressure sensitive tape to the bent surface, thecoating in the bend region is treated for 15 seconds with acidifiedcopper sulfate. After rinsing to remove the acidified copper sulfate,the blotted surface is examined via optical microscopy for defects. Thecoating failed OT as evidenced by the penetration of acidified coppersulfate to etch the metal surface, but consistently passed 1T (nopenetration of acidified copper sulfate).

EXAMPLE 5 A. Synthesis of 4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

Hydroquinone (286.0 grams, 2.6 mole), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (179.4grams, 1.3 mole), diethylbenzene (52 grams) and p-toluenesulfonic acid(0.64 gram) is added to a one liter glass resin kettle reactor andheated to 200° C. with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere flowing at arate of one liter per minute. The reactant slurry becomes an ambercolored solution once the reaction temperature reaches 165° C. Water anddiethylbenzene azeotropically distilled from the reactor is collected ina Dean Stark trap interspersed between the reactor and a chilled watercondenser. After 45 minutes at the 200° C. reaction temperature,distillation has ceased, and the reaction product is poured into analuminum foil tray. The resultant solid product is ground to a finepowder then is stirred in methanol (1200 milliliters) and brought to aboil. After boiling for 15 minutes, the slurry is filtered while stillhot. Deionized water (6 liters) is added to the recovered methanolsolution and the resultant white precipitate recovered by filtration.The precipitate is redissolved in stirred, boiling methanol (1200milliliters) then reprecipitated via the addition of deionized water (6liters). The resultant white precipitate recovered by filtration isredissolved in stirred, boiling methanol (1000 milliliters) then thesolution cooled to room temperature (25° C.) and filtered.Reprecipitation is completed by addition of the filtered solution todeionized water (5 liters). The white precipitate is recovered byfiltration then dried under vacuum for 12 hours at 90° C. to a constantweight of 125.1 grams. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometricanalysis of a potassium chloride pellet of the product and high pressureliquid chromatographic analysis confirms the product structure for4'-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate. Differential scanning calorimetry ofa portion of the product (17 milligrams) heated at 10° C. per minuteunder nitrogen flowing at 35 cubic centimeters per minute reveals asharp melting point endotherm with a minimum at 246.8° C.

B. Epoxidation of 4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (41.44 grams, 0.18 mole) from Aabove, epichlorohydrin (499.66 grams, 5.4 mole) and tetrabutylammoniumchloride (0.725 gram, 1.75% wt. of the diphenol reactant used) is addedto a one liter glass round bottom reactor and heated to 60° C. withmagnetically driven stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere flowing at arate of one liter per minute. The reactant slurry becomes a hazy, ambercolored solution after eight hours at the 60° C. reaction temperature.After 23 hours at 60° C., high pressure liquid chromatographic analysisof a portion of the light amber colored solution demonstrates greaterthan 99.5 area % conversion of the diphenol to reaction product. At thistime, a water separator is interspersed between the reactor and thechilled (-2.5° C.) glycol condenser and an addition funnel containingsodium hydroxide (16.2 grams, 0.405 mole) dissolved in deionized water(19.8, 55 % wt. of the solution) and a vacuum line is added to thereactor. The nitrogen purge is shut off simultaneous with initiation ofthe vacuum. The vacuum and reaction temperature are equilibrated at 90mm Hg and 60° C., respectively and such that a vigorous reflux ismaintained with continuous return of dry epichlorohydrin from the waterseparator to the reactor. After equilibration, dropwise addition of theaqueous sodium hydroxide commences accompanied by a gradual reduction invacuum and reaction temperature. After 80 minutes, addition of theaqueous sodium hydroxide is complete and vacuum and reaction temperatureare at 70 mm Hg and 56° C., respectively. After an additional 3 hours atthe 70 mm Hg vacuum and 56° C. reaction temperature, heating ceases andthe product slurry is cooled to 50° C. The recovered slurry is filteredunder a nitrogen atmosphere and the resultant light amber coloredsolution rotary evaporated under a vacuum (2 mm Hg final conditions) at50° C. for 30 ,minutes. The viscous oil product (57.6 grams) isdissolved in acetonitrile (36 milliliters) then with stirring under anitrogen atmosphere, anhydrous methanol (180 milliliters) is added.After chilling for 12 hours at 0° C., the product solidifies to acrystalline mass which is filtered after warming to room temperature(24° C.). The recovered solid is recrystallized from a solution preparedby addition of isopropanol (25 milliliters) and acetonitrile (25milliliters). After filtration the white crystalline product is driedunder vacuum to a constant weight of 19.3 grams. Titration of a portionof the product reveals an epoxide equivalent weight of 177.25. Fouriertransform infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a neat film of theproduct on a sodium chloride plate confirmes the product structure forthe diglycidyl ether of 4'-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxyphenylbenzoate (estercarbonyl absorbance at 1729 cm⁻¹, epoxide --C--O-- stretching absorbanceat 852 and 912 cm⁻¹).

C. Characterization of Liquid Crystallinity in the Diglycidyl Ether of4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

Analysis of the diglycidyl ether of 4'-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoatevia crosspolarized light microscopy is completed using a microscopeequipped with a programmable hot stage using a heating rate of 20° C.per minute. The results are reported in Table IX.

                  TABLE IX                                                        ______________________________________                                        CROSSPOLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY ANALYSIS                                      OF THE DIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF                                                    4'-HYDROXYPHENYL-4-HYDROXYBENZOATE                                                       Observed                                                                      Transition                                                         Cycle      Temperatures                                                       Designation                                                                              (°C.)                                                                              Comments                                               ______________________________________                                        First heating                                                                            30          Birefringent crystalline solid.                        (25 to 118° C.)                                                                   95          Softening noted.                                                  105         First fluidity noted.                                             118         Isotropization completed.                              First cooling                                                                            72          First mobile nematic texture                           (118 to 30° C.) formed.                                                           59          First crystallization noted.                           ______________________________________                                    

The diglycidyl ether is a monotropic liquid crystal with a nematictexture.

D. Preparation of Phenolic Cured Casting of the Diglycidyl Ether of4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate and4'-Hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

A portion (0.3497 gram, 0.00197 epoxide equivalent) of the diglycidylether of 4'-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate from B above and a portionof 4'-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (0.2271 gram, 0.00197 hydroxylequivalent) from A above are dissolved in acetone (30 milliliters)containing tetrabutylphosphonium acetate.acetic acid complex (70 percentin methanol) (0.0018 grams, 0.37 phr based on the diglycidyl etherreactant used). After mixing the solution for 10 minutes, a homogeneouspowder mixture is recovered by evaporation of the acetone solvent undervacuum at 40° C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of a portion(11.9 milligrams) of the powder heated at 10° C. per minute undernitrogen flowing at 35 cubic centimeters per minute reveals an exotherm(182 joules per gram) between 125° C. to 174° C. A portion of the powderis placed between two glass plates and heated at 20° C. per minute to160° C. at which point an isotropic melt is observed via opticalmicroscopy (70× magnification) under crosspolarized light. Followingformation of the isotropic melt, a nematic liquid crystalline morphologyand stir opalescence are produced by holding the resin at the 160° C.temperature for 6 minutes. After formation of the liquid crystal phase,the resin is cooled from 160° C. at 10° C. per minute. At 140° C., shearis applied to the resin by moving the glass coverslip across the top ofthe resin. As a result of the application of shear, uniaxial orientationof the liquid crystal domains is visually observable. On furthercooling, the resin remained fluid to 110° C. and then became an opaquesemi-solid which exhibited a high level of birefringence.

For the preparation of a cured casting, the remaining powder istransferred to an aluminum cup. The aluminum cup is placed in an ovenwhich has been preheated to 160° C. and the powder is observed to meltto an opaque liquid which exhibited stir opalescence. After 12 minutesat 160° C., the oven temperature is reduced to 110° C. and maintainedtherein for 12 hours before cooling to room temperature (22° C.). Aftercooling to room temperature, an opaque casting is recovered from thealuminum cup. This casting exhibits a high level of birefringence whenviewed by optical microscopy (70× magnification) under crosspolarizedlight. Differential scanning calorimetry of a portion of the castingusing the aforementioned conditions reveales a glass transitiontemperature of 90.2° C. This glass transition temperature is increasedto 95.4° C. by postcuring the casting at 160° C. for six hours. Thepostcured casting is opaque and exhibits a high level of birefringence.

EXAMPLE 6 A. Characterization of the Diglycidyl Ether of 4,4'-Dihydroxybiphenyl for Liquid Crystal Character

A sample of a diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl is heated on ahot stage at 10° C. per minute and viewed under an optical microscope(70× magnification) using a crosspolarized light source. Fluidity ofthis resin is first observed at 160° C. and at this temperature somecrystals are still present. On further heating an isotropic melt isobtained at 169° C. On cooling the resin from 175° C. to roomtemperature at 10° C. per minute, no liquid crystal textures areobserved. At 152° C. the resin crystallizes to a solid.

B. Preparation of an Oriented Film of the Diglycidyl Ether of4,4'-Dihydroxybiphenyl During Cure

A diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (0.5721 grams, 0.00371epoxide equivalents(and sulfanilamide (0.1500 grams, 0.00371 amineequivalents) are combined and ground together to form a homogeneouspowder mixture. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of a portion(12.7 milligrams) of the powder heated at 10° C. per minute undernitrogen flowing at 35 cubic centimeters per minute reveals a cureexotherm (348 joules per gram) between 150° C. and 250° C. A portion ofthe powder is placed between two glass plates and heated on a hot stageto 170° C. At 170° C. an isotropic melt is observed via opticalmicroscopy (70× magnification) under crosspolarized light. After holdingthe resin at 170° C. for seven minutes, a smectic liquid crystal texture(focal conical domains) is produced. At this point shear is applied tothe resin by moving one of the glass plates across the top of the resin.As a result of the application of shear, uniaxial orientation of theliquid crystal domains is visually observable at 70× magnification undercrosspolarized light. This oriented morphology is maintained withcontinued cure of the resin.

What is claimed is:
 1. An advanced epoxy resin composition prepared by reacting(A) one or more epoxy resins containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties, said epoxy resin being those represented by either the following Formula I ##STR53## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarboyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ 'N--N═CR¹, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹, --CR¹ ═CR.sup. 1 --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, a direct single bond when n≧1, ##STR54## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and is cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has a value of zero or one; with the proviso that each Z¹ can also independently be ##STR55## --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CO--O--, or --O--CO-- when Z² is not a benzene ring and when n≠0; or the following Formula II ##STR56## wherein Z³ is ##STR57## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O or S and is saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂, or --C═N; and n' is zero or one; or any combination of any two or more epoxy resins represented by the aforementioned Formulas I or II; with (B) at least one compound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atom per molecule selected from the group consisting of bisphenols, thiobisphenols, carboxyic acids and compounds containing one primary amine or amide group or two secondary amine groups; andwherein (a) components (A) and (B) are employed in quantities which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.01:1 to about 0.95:1; and (b) the reactants are meltable or soluble under conditions necessary for their derivatization or further reaction.
 2. An advanced epoxy resin composition of claim 1 wherein(a) when component (A) is an epoxy resin represented by Formula I, in which X is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is chlorine or bromine; (b) when component (A) is an epoxy resin represented by Formula II, in which X is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is chlorine or bromine; (c) component (B) is a compound represented by the following Formulas XVII or XVIII ##STR58## wherein X² is independently a hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, --SH, or --NHR² group; R² is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; X³ is NH₂ --, NH₂ --SO₂ --, NH₂ --CO--, or NH₂ --Z⁸ --O--; Z⁸ is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; Z⁷ can independently be a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, --O--, --CO--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --S--, --S--S--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --N═N--, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ -- , --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, a direct single bond, ##STR59## and each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂ or --C.tbd.N; Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and is cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is zero to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group; each R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and each n' independently has a value of zero or one; or any combination of any two or more compounds represented by the aforementioned Formulas XVII and XVIII; and (d) components (A) and (B) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.05:1 to about 0.8:1.
 3. An advanced epoxy resin composition of claim 2 wherein(a) when component (A) is an epoxy resin represented by Formula I, X is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is bromine; (b) when component (A) is an epoxy resin represented by Formula II, X is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is bromine; and (c) in component (B), when X is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is chlorine or bromine.
 4. An advanced epoxy resin composition of claim 1 wherein(a) component (B) is hydroquinone, bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane, 4,4'-thiodiphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α,α'-diethylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalate, N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide, bis(4'-hydroxybiphenyl)terephthalate, 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate, bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediimine, 4,4"-dihydroxybiphenylbenzoate, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxamide)benzene, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxy)benzene, 4,4'-bis(4"-hydroxyphenyl-1"-carboxy)biphenyl, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-benzanilide dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-phenylbenzoate dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, aniline, 4'-sulfonamido-N-phenylbenzamide, 4'-sulfonamido-N'-phenyl-4-chlorobenzamide, 4-amino-1-phenylbenzoate, 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide, N-phenyl-4-aminophenyl-1-carboxamide, phenyl-4-aminobenzoate, biphenyl-4-aminobenzoate, 1-phenyl-4'-aminophenylterephthalate and mixtures thereof; and (b) components (A) and (B) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1.
 5. An advanced epoxy resin composition of claim 3 wherein(a) component (B) is hydroquinone, bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane, 4,4'-thiodiphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α,α'-diethylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalate, N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide, bis(4'-hydroxybiphenyl)terephthalate, 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate, bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediimine, 4,4"-dihydroxybiphenylbenzoate, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxamide)benzene, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxy)benzene, 4,4'-bis(4"-hydroxyphenyl-1"-carboxy)biphenyl, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-benzanilide dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-phenylbenzoate dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, aniline, 4'-sulfonamido-N-phenylbenzamide, 4'-sulfonamido-N'-phenyl-4-chlorobenzamide, 4-amino-1-phenylbenzoate, 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide, N-phenyl-4-aminophenyl-1-carboxamide, phenyl-4-aminobenzoate, biphenyl-4-aminobenzoate, 1-phenyl-4'-aminophenylterephthalate and mixtures thereof; and (b) components (A) and (B) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1.
 6. An advanced epoxy resin composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is subjected to the application of an electric field, magnetic field, drawing and/or shear flow prior to and/or during curing.
 7. A blend comprising(A) an advanced epoxy resin composition prepared by reacting(1) one or more epoxy resins containing one or more rodlike mesogenic moieties, said epoxy resin being those represented by either the following Formula I ##STR60## wherein at least about 80 percent of the --(Z¹ --Z²)_(n) --Z¹ -- linkages and the glycidyl ether groups are in the para position with respect to each other; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; each Z¹ is independently --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --N═N--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, a direct single bond when n≧1, ##STR61## Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and may be cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is 0 to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group and each n' independently has a value of zero or one; with the proviso that each Z¹ can also independently be ##STR62## --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, --CO--O--, or --O--CO-- when Z² is not a benzene ring and when n≠0; or the following Formula II ##STR63## wherein Z³ is ##STR64## and Z⁴ is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --NR¹ --CO-- or --CO--NR¹ --; X¹ is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms which can contain one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O or S and is saturated or unsaturated; each R and R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂, or --C.tbd.N; and n' is zero or one; or any combination of any two or more epoxy resins represented by the aforementioned Formulas I or II; with (2) at least one compound having an average of more than one active hydrogen atom per molecule selected from the group consisting of bisphenol, thiobisphenols, dicarboxylic acids, and compounds containing one primary amine or amide group or two secondary amine groups; and wherein (a) components (1) and (2) are employed in quantities which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.01:1 to about 0.95:1; and (b) the reactants are meltable or soluble under conditions necessary for their derivatization or further reaction; and (B) one or more polyepoxides which are substantially free of rodlike mesogenic moieties.
 8. A blend of claim 7 wherein;(a) when component (A1) is an epoxy resin represented by Formulas I or II and when X therein is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is chlorine or bromine; (b) component (B) is an epoxy resin represented by the following Formulas V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X or XI ##STR65## wherein each A is independently a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, --O--, --S--, --S--S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, or --CO--; each A' is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 6, preferably from 1 to about 3, carbon atoms; Q is a single bond, --CH₂ --S--CH₂ --, --(CH₂)_(n).spsb.i --, or ##STR66## each R is independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; each R² and R³ is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or halohydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12, carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂ or --C.tbd.N; m has a value from about 1 to about 10; m' has an average value from about 0.01 to about 12; m¹ has an average value from about 1 to about 12; m² has a value from about 1 to about 12; n' has a value of zero or 1; n" has an average value from about zero to about 3 and n¹ has an average value from about 1 to about 10; (c) components (A1) and (A2) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.05:1 to about 0.8:1; (d) component (A) is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 99 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B); and (e) component (B) is present in an amount of from about 99 to about 1 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B).
 9. A blend of claim 7 wherein;(a) when component (A1) is an epoxy resin represented by Formulas I or II and when X therein is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group, it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and when it is a halogen atom, it is bromine; (b) component (A2) is a compound represented by the following Formulas XVII or XVIII ##STR67## wherein X² is independently a hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, --SH, or --NHR² group; R² is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; X³ is NH₂ --, NH₂ --SO₂ --, NH₂ --CO--, or NH₂ --Z⁸ --O--; Z⁸ is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; Z⁷ can independently be a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, --O--, --CO--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --S--, --S--S--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═N--N═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--CH₂ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --N═N--, --CO--NR¹ --, --NR¹ --CO--, --CO--NR¹ --NR¹ --CO--, --C.tbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CR¹ ═N--, --N═CR¹ --, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --CO--, CO--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO-- CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--O--, --O--CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CO--O--CR¹ ═CR¹ --, --CR¹ ═CR¹ --O--CO--, a direct single bond, ##STR68## and each X is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, --NO₂ or --C.tbd.N; Z² is a group represented by a cyclic or bicyclic ring system /S containing from 5 to about 12 carbon atoms and is cycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, aromatic or a combination thereof; n is zero to 2; each Z' is independently a --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NR¹ --, or --NR¹ --CO-- group; each R¹ is independently hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and each n' independently has a value of zero or one; or any combination of any two or more compounds represented by the aforementioned Formulas XVII and XVIII; (c) components (A1) and (A2) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.05:1 to about 0.9:1; (d) component (A) is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 80 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B); and (e) component (B) is present in an amount of from about 90 to about 20 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B).
 10. A blend of claim 7 wherein(a) component (B) is hydroquinone, bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane, 4,4'-thiodiphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α,α'-diethylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α -methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalate, N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide, bis(4'-hydroxybiphenyl)terephthalate, 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate, bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediimine, 4,4"-dihydroxybiphenylbenzoate, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxamide)benzene, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxy)benzene, 4,4'-bis(4"-hydroxyphenyl-1"-carboxy)biphenyl, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-benzanilide dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-phenylbenzoate dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, aniline, 4'-sulfonamido-N-phenylbenzamide, 4'-sulfonamido-N'-phenyl-4-chlorobenzamide, 4-amino-1-phenylbenzoate, 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide, N-phenyl-4-aminophenyl-1-carboxamide, phenyl-4-aminobenzoate, biphenyl-4-aminobenzoate, 1-phenyl-4'-aminophenylterephthalate and mixtures thereof; (b) components (1) and (2) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1; (c) component (A) is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight based on the combined quantities Of components (A) and (B); and (d) component (B) is present in an amount of from about 90 to about 50 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B).
 11. A blend of claim 9 wherein(a) component (B) is hydroquinone, bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane, 4,4'-thiodiphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α,α'-diethylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzanilide, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-dimethylazoxybenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxy-α-cyanostilbene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalate, N,N'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)terephthalamide, bis(4'-hydroxybiphenyl)terephthalate, 4,4'-dihydroxyphenylbenzoate, bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediimine, 4,4"-dihydroxybiphenylbenzoate, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxamide)benzene, 1,4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl-1'-carboxy)benzene, 4,4'-bis(4"-hydroxyphenyl-1"-carboxy)biphenyl, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-benzanilide dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-phenylbenzoate dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, aniline, 4'-sulfonamido-N-phenylbenzamide, 4'-sulfonamido-N'-phenyl-4-chlorobenzamide, 4-amino-1-phenylbenzoate, 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide, N-phenyl-4-aminophenyl-1-carboxamide, phenyl-4-aminobenzoate, biphenyl-4-aminobenzoate, 1-phenyl-4'-aminophenylterephthalate and mixtures thereof; and (b) components (1) and (2) are employed in amounts which provide a ratio of active hydrogen atoms per epoxide group of from about 0.1:1 to about 0.5:1.; (c) component (A) is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B); and (d) component (B) is present in an amount of from about 90 to about 50 percent by weight based on the combined quantities of components (A) and (B).
 12. A blend of claim 7 wherein the blend is subjected to the application of an electric field, magnetic field, drawing and/or shear flow prior to and/or during curing. 